9. Mortgages Flashcards
How must a legal mortgage be made?
By deed
What are the two ways a mortgagor can create a legal charge?
- Executing a deed declaring the mortgagor is charging the land for sums to be repaid
- Charging a registered estate (no need for express declaration)
What are the three situations in which an equitable mortgage can be created?
- Parties agree that mortgage should only be equitable
- Contract in writing to create a legal mortgage, which fails
- Mortgagor owns equitable interest only
A contract to create a legal mortgage gives rise to an equitable mortgage from what time?
Date of the contract
What is the effect of an unsuccessful attempt to create a legal mortgage?
It takes effect in equity
Does an equitable mortgage need to be by deed?
No, but it must be in writing and signed by mortgagor or their agent
In the registered system, what are the two factors to be considered in determining how a mortgage should be protected?
Whether mortgage:
1. Is legal or equitable, and
2. Was created before or after the Land Registration Act 2002
How is a legal mortgage over registered land protected?
It must be registered if the mortgagee wants to exercise power of sale.
Once registered, it has priority over competing interests, unless those are previously registered, or overriding.
How is an equitable mortgage over registered land protected?
Placing a notice or restriction on the property’s register of title
In the context of mortgages, who has priority in the unregistered system, and why?
The first mortgagee, because they will have custody of the title deeds
How does one protect a subsequent legal mortgage over unregistered land, when they do not have the title deeds?
Register a class C(i) puisne mortgage land charge
How does one protect an equitable mortgage over unregistered land, when they do not have the title deeds?
Register a class C(iii) general equitable land charge
C(i) puisne is for legal mortgages in the same situation
What is required if the equitable mortgage is over an equitable interest, e.g. a beneficiary’s interest under a trust?
Mortgagee should give notice to the trustees
Within what time period of a company creating a charge must it be filed with Companies House?
21 days
What are the two main situations in which a third party may have an interest in land subject to sale?
- Tenants
- Co-owners
When considering a tenancy, what is the key point?
When the tenancy began relative to the mortgage’s creation