Dear Mr Paterson
Thank you for your email of 7 December to our Freedom of Information
team. 
Before I respond to your query about unregistered land, I would like to
first clarify some about lack of any response to your previous email.  We
have checked our records and cannot find any evidence of your previous
email being received by Land Registry, so we have no knowledge of your
enquiry.
Also, with regards to the question you have raised, it is our opinion that
it does not fall under the premise of Freedom of Information Act 2000
(FOIA 2000), and I have responded to it below on that basis.
Land Registry keeps a computerised map based on the Ordnance Survey map. 
This map (the ‘index map’) provides an index of the land in the title for
the vast majority of registrations and pending applications for first
registration.  To find out if land is registered you should complete
[1]form SIM to apply for an official search of the index map.  The purpose
of a SIM application is to ascertain whether or not the land searched is
registered, the title numbers that affect and the type of registration
that has been disclosed.
If you cannot quote a full postal address on form SIM, or if there is
likely to be any doubt about where the property is, or the area it covers,
you will need to provide a plan that must:
•       be based on the latest published edition of the large scale
Ordnance Survey map
•       be drawn to scale
•       indicate the scale and north point
•       show the precise extent of the property by suitable
colouring/edging
•       show the position of the land in relation to nearby roads and
other relevant features.
The certificate of result of search will show whether or not the land is
registered, the title numbers that affect it and the type of registration
that has been disclosed.  Information on Search of Index Map can be viewed
by clicking on the attached link to our website - [2]Search of the Index
Map
You could try to ascertain if there is any registered title associated
with the land concerned by using the [3]Map Enquiry option on our online
service, Find a Property.  This service enables interested parties and
specifically the general public to search for registered properties in
England and Wales that cannot be identified by address only.
If the address or location can be matched with Land Registry records, and
the land / property is registered, copies of the title register, title
plan and a Flood Risk Indicator result can be purchased.
If the address or location cannot be matched with Land Registry records
you should submit an application for a Search of the Index Map. I would
hasten to add that not being able to match any registration information
using the online service should not be taken as a confirmation that the
land or property is not registered. 
I hope this answers your query.
Yours sincerely
 
Nimish Patel
Head Office Customer Service Manager
Customer Engagement & Management Team (Customer Policy & Handling)
Central Operations Group
Land Registry Head Office, Trafalgar House, 1 Bedford Park, Croydon CR0
2AQ
DX8888 Croydon (3)
Direct Line: 0300 006 7656 | GTN: 67656
 
[4]GOV.UK | [5]@LandRegGov | [6]LinkedIn | [7]Facebook
 
 
 
 

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Patel, Nimish would like to recall the message, "Freedom of Information request - How to find out if a specific area of land is unregistered?".
Land Registry is the definitive source of information for more than 24 million property titles in England and Wales. Since 1862 we have provided security and confidence in one of the most active property and mortgage markets in the world. We are working to support economic growth and data transparency as part of the Public Data Group. Find out more at www.gov.uk/land-registry

If you have received this e-mail and it was not intended for you, please let us know, and then delete it. Please treat our communications in confidence, as you would expect us to treat yours. Land Registry checks all mail and attachments for known viruses, however, you are advised that you open any attachments at your own risk.

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