HOMEFAQ: Land Title Office
What is a title search?
A title search is a current copy of the Certificate of Title which shows the current owner, the land description and any dealings associated.
What is the certificate of title?
A Certificate of Title is an official land ownership record. You can order a copy of a Certificate of Title to find current ownership information for any property which is done through a Title Search.
What is a volume and folio number?
This is a unique number which identifies individual titles of land. Some states or territory’s adopted this as part of the Torren’s Land System in the 1890’s.
What do the different plan types mean?
Plan Type Description
DP Deposited Plan
MSP Mixed Stratum Plan
BRP BUP of Re subdivision
RP Registered Plan
BUP Building Unit Plan*
SBA Leasehold BUP (South Bank)
CP Crown Plan
SBP Leasehold BUP (South Bank)
GRP GTP of Re subdivision
SP Survey Plan
GTA GTP of Amalgamation
SPA SP of Amalgamation (South Bank)
GTP Group Titles Plan*
SPS SP of Subdivision (South Bank)
LB Lower BUP
SRP Leasehold BUP (South Bank)
MCP Mixed Community Plan
SSP Stratum Plan (South Bank)
MPP Mixed Precinct Plan
UB Upper BUP
Can I have the original title to my house?
All original Property deeds are archived at each states or territories land registry. Land registries now only issue an electronic copy of the certificate of title, also known as a land title search.
How is my land title and property ownership information available to the public?
Land titles and property ownership details are available to the public, at state or territory’s government land register. At Property Registry we have put in place a strict land and property information condition of use to follow. This is displayed in our terms and conditions.
Why do I have to pay for a copy of my own title?
Each state or territories land registry charges a price that covers storage, managing updates and retrieval guaranteeing any title against indefeasibility. Property Registry has a small increase on this price.
Do I need to own a property to get a copy of a title?
Each state or territory maintains the official register of land ownership and survey information for the Government. This means that it is a public register and all land information contained in it is available to everyone.
Does a title search show boundaries?
A properties title does not show legal boundaries. A survey or deposited plan should be purchased, these are the official record of the legal boundaries and will usually indicate the dimensions and size of a lot.
Are individual company owners shown on a Land Title?
No, the company who owns the property is shown on a Certificate of Title.
What is a duplicate Land Title?
In some situations duplicates of the original title are issued to the property owner or the bank holding a mortgage on the property.
Why does my title show a mortgage?
Mortgages are not automatically discharged by financial institutions/banks when a home loan is paid off. If you have paid your mortgage off, it best to contact your financial institution/bank to ask them to arrange a discharge of mortgage. The discharge of mortgage document will need to be lodged with Landgate to clear your title of the mortgage.
What does ‘subject to dealing’ mean?
This is to advise that something is in the process of being lodged or happening with the title. It may take up to six weeks for ownership information to be updated online from the time of document lodgement. You may need to order another copy of the title at a later date to see the details of the dealing
What does ‘superseded’ mean?
The title you have ordered has been converted to a digital title.
What does ‘cancelled’ mean?
The title has been cancelled and a new title(s) has been issued. This mainly occurs when the property is subdivided.
What does ‘joint tenant’ mean?
Upon the death of one joint owner and if a right of survivorship exists, the share of the interest of the deceased automatically goes to the surviving owner(s).
What does ‘tenants in common’ mean?
Upon the death of one party the land does not automatically go to the remaining partner unless stated in the will. It also means that two or more people can hold the land in undivided shares. For example Mary Jones has 1/3 share and Robert Jones has a 2/3 share of the land. Both can transfer their shares to each other or someone else.
Why haven’t I received my emails?
When checking for your emails, be sure to check all spam and junk folders
What is a permit to occupy?
A permit to occupy is a permission to occupy or use a specified parcel of unallocated state land, reserve or road (including a stock route). It cannot be issued over freehold or leasehold land. A permit to occupy is not an interest in the land (such as a lease) as it does not allow for exclusive possession of the land and cannot be transferred, sublet or mortgaged. If the permit is granted, the right to occupy applies only to the permit holder.
What is the difference between a property deed and title?
Property Deeds and Titles refer to two separate legal concepts. All original Property deeds are archived at each states or territories land registry. Land registries now only issue an electronic copy of the certificate of title, also known as a land title search. A Title is a legal way of saying you own a right to something. For real estate purposes, the title refers to ownership of the property, meaning that you have the rights to use that property.
How do I release a mortgage from my title?
When you have repaid your mortgage, the lender (the ‘mortgagee’) who lent the money with your property as security signs a document to release your property from the mortgage. This release of mortgage form must be registered with the Titles Registry for the mortgage to be released. You should lodge this release as soon as possible – if the form is lost or destroyed, you may incur additional costs and delays when using the property in future transactions.
How to establish whether a paper certificate of title exists.
A current title search of the property will show whether a paper certificate of title has been issued.
Can I order a NSW title search through the LPI/NSWLRS?
As of July 2016, the NSWLRS online shop no longer offers you the ability to purchase property information. You will now have to purchase through information brokers like Property Registry.
How long does a title search take?
Most titles are instant searches and are available online.
What if I haven’t received my search results straight away?
Unfortunately manual searches are required for some documents, please allow one business day for your results to return.
What does a title search reveal?
The title search will advise if the seller has a registered interest in the property, whether there are any restrictions on the use of the land and if any liens exist on the property which need to be paid off at closing.
