Land Flashcards
What is a chattel?
Moveable property, such as furniture, books, cards and pictures
What is a fixture?
Fixtures are considered party of the land
What is the problem with fixtures/chattels?
When selling a house, contract is often silent on individual parts. If fixtures then part of the sale, if chattels then can be removed.
What is the two part test for fixtures/chattels?
- Method and degree of annexation
2. Object and purpose of annexation
What is the method and degree of annexation test?
- If easily removable and unlikely to cause damage then CHATTEL
- If item is securely attached then FIXTURE
What cases are used for the presumptions (fixtures and chattels)?
Buckland v Butterfield - securely attached = fixture
Berkley v Poulett - freestanding items = chattel
What is the object and purpose of annexation test?
This can REBUT the first part of the test.
It is more important.
If intended to improve the land then likely to be a fixture
If chattel affixed is to allow to be better enjoyed as a chattel then can be rebutted
What are light fittings, carpets, curtains, white goods etc? [Case law]
Chattel [Botham v TSB Bank]
What is a landscaped garden? [Case law]
Fixture as part of the architectural design [D’Eyncourt v Gregory]
What is a picture on the wall?
[Case law]
If hung merely to be displayed then chattel [Leigh v Taylor]
If hung within panelled walls, or part of overall architecture then fixtures [D’Eyncourt v Gregory]
What is a bungalow? [Case law]
Fixture [Elitestone v Morris]
What is a gas fire? [Case law]
If merely standing by its own weight and is only connected by a gas pipe, not a fixture as the connection is only necessary to enable it to be used [Botham]
What is a statue? [Case law]
If statue is able to be remoevd without causing damage and doesn’t form part of design then chattel [Berkley and D’Eyncourt]
What is a licence?
This allows someone to use land in someway, but there is NO PROPRIETARY INTEREST in it
What can be licenced? [Case law]
ANYTHING [Thomas v Sorrell]
What is a bare licence?
Licence is granted for no consideration and can be revoked at any time
What is a contractual licence?
Licence is supported by consideration, therefore may give damages for breach of contract
Is a freehold estate capable of being legal? [Statute]
YES
s1(1)a LPA 1925
What formalities are needed for a legal freehold estate? [Statute]
Deed (s52(1) LPA 1925) - Intention - Signed - Witnessed - Delivered s1 LP(MP)A
How is a freehold estate enforceable in an unregistered system?
- It is not registrable on Land Charges register
- It legal
- Therefore it binds the world
Is a leasehold estate capable of being legal?
YES
S1(1)b LPA 1925
Must have
- Exclusive possession
- Certainty of duration
What formalities are needed for a legal leasehold estate?
Deed (s52(1) LPA 1925) - Intention - Signed - Witnessed - Delivered s1 LP(MP)A
What is the parol lease exception?
s54(2) LPA 1925 Oral agreement allowed if 1. The lease is under 3 years 2. It takes effect immediately 3. They are granted the best rent (eg not lump sum)
How is a leasehold estate enforceable in an unregistered system?
- Not registrable on the land charges register
- It is a legal interest
- Therefore it binds the world
How is a leasehold estate enforceable in a registered system?
If lease OVER 7 YEARS then it is a registrable disposition
- Must register at Land Registry by the date of registration of the buyer
If lease UNDER 7 YEARS then it is an overriding interest under Sch 3 Para 1
What is an easement?
A right of privilege attached to a piece of land, imposing a corresponding burden on another
What is an example of an easement?
Right of way
Right to light
Is an easement capable of being legal?
s1(2)(a) LPA 1925 it is capable of being legal
Must be for a term of years
- Absolute
- Forever
If uncertain then equitable
What formalities are needed for a legal easement?
Deed (s52(1) LPA 1925) - Intention - Signed - Witnessed - Delivered s1 LP(MP)A
How is a legal easement enforceable in an unregistered system?
- Not registrable on Land Charges register
- Legal interest
- Binds the world
How is a legal easement enforceable in a registered system?
It is a registrable disposition (s27 LRA 2002)
Must register at Land Registry by date of registration of buyer/mortgage
What is a mortgage?
An interest in land given as security for a loan
Is a mortgage capable of being legal?
Yes s1(2)(c) LPA 1925
It is capable of being legal
What are the formalities needed for a mortgage?
Deed (s52(1) LPA 1925) - Intention - Signed - Witnessed - Delivered s1 LP(MP)A
How is a mortgage enforceable in an unregistered system?
- Not registrable at Land Charges register
- Legal interest
- Therefore binds the world
How is a mortgage enforceable in a registered system?
Must register at the Land Registry by date of registration of buyer/mortgage
What is a restrictive covenant?
Something preventing or enforcing someone else to do something
Example of a restrictive covenant?
- Not to erect any building within 5m of boundary
- To pay for the upkeep of the road
Is a restrictive covenant capable of being legal?
No
It is equitable under s1(3) LPA 1925
What are the formalities needed for a restrictive covenant?
s53(1)(a) LPA 1925
- Signed in writing
It may also and USUALLY come in a deed
How is a restrictive covenant enforceable in an unregistered system? [pre and post 1926]
POST 1926
- Register as Class D(ii) land charge to bind the buyer (s2 LCA 1972)
PRE 1926
- This will bind everyone except equity’s darling
How is a restrictive covenant enforceable in a registered system?
IARE (s32 LRA 2002)
Needs to be registered as a notice at the Land Registry by date of registration of the buyer
What is an estate contract?
This will usually be an equitable lease
What is an example of an estate contract?
Possession of cottage but with no need and no parol lease
Is an estate contract capable of being legal?
No
Equitable under s1(3) LPA 1925
What are the formalities needed for an estate contract?
s2 LP(MP)A
- Writing
- Signed
- Must include all the agreed terms
How is an estate contract enforceable in an unregistered system?
POST 1926
- Register as a Class C(iv) land charge to bind the buyer (s2(4) LCA 1972)
How is an estate contract enforceable in a registered system?
IARE
Needs to be registered as a notice at the Land Registry by date of registration of the buyer
If the tenant is in occupation of the land, it can be an overriding interest according to Sch 3 Para 2
What is an equitable easement?
An easement with an uncertain period (eg conditional)
What is an example of an equitable easement?
Use of a drainage pipe for as long as neighbour lives there
Is an equitable easement capable of being legal?
No
Equitable under s1(3) LPA 1925
What are the formalities for an equitable easement?
s53(1) LPA 1925
- Signed in writing
How is an equitable easement enforceable in an unregistered system?
pre and post 1926
POST 1926
- Register as a Class D(iii) land charge to bind buyer (s2 LCA 1972)
PRE 1926
This will bind everyone except equity’s darling
How is an equitable easement enforceable in a registered system?
IARE (s32 LRA 2002)
Needs to be registered as a notice at the Land Registry by date of registration of the buyer
What is an equitable interest under trust?
Estate held by trustee and beneficiary holds equitable interest
What is the difference between an express and implied trust?
Express
- Named a beneficiary
Implied
- Where one party makes a financial contribution to the purchase of property but is not named the legal owner
Can an equitable interest under trust be a legal interest?
No
As does not fall under s1(1) and s1(2)
What are the formalities for an express trust?
s53(1)b LPA 1925
- Evidenced in writing
- Signed
What are the formalities for an implied trust?
Will arise automatically therefore no formalities required under s53(2) LPA 1925
How is an equitable interest under trust enforceable in an unregistered system?
Buyer is bound unless he is
- Equity’s darling
- Overreached
How is an equitable interest under trust enforceable in a registered system?
Interest of beneficiary under a trust of land
May be recorded as a restriction by the date of registration of the buyer
This will alert the buyer to overreach. If buyer fails to overreach, buyer will be prevented from registering the purchase
Can be an overriding interest under Sch 3 Para 2 as
- Interest in land
- Actual occupation
- Other conditions
What is a Home Right?
If couple have lived in a home and one is refusing to move out
Is it capable of being legal?
No as not s1 or s2. Also not capable of being equitable.
It is statutory
What are the formalities for a home right?
Must be
- Legally married or in a civil partnership
- Home is, or has been, the matrimonial home
- Only one has legal interest in the property
How is a home right enforceable in an unregistered system?
Registered as Class F land charge to bind buyer (s2(7) LCA 1972)
How is a home right enforceable in a registered system?
IARE
Needs to be registered as a notice at Land Registry by date of registration of new buyer (s29(1) and (2) LRA 2002)
Can a home right be an overriding interest?
Cannot be protected by Sch 3 Para 2 LRA LRA (s 31(10)(b) FLA 1996) as the right is incapable of being an overriding interest
In an unregistered system when is the legal estate passed to the buyer?
On completion of the conveyance it is immediately passed to the buyer
What if an interest is not part of the Land Charges Act 1972?
Must look at pre-1926 rules
What do the pre-1926 rules apply to?
- Equitable interests arising under trust
- Most legal interests
- Pre-1926 equitable interests
What are the rules for legal and equitable interests pre-1926?
Legal interests will BIND THE WHOLE WORLD
Equitable interests will BIND EVERYONE EXCEPT EQUITY’S DARLING
What is equity’s darling?
You must be
- Bona fide (acting in good faith without fraud)
- Come within the definition of a purchaser (this includes mortgagee and leasee)
- Bought property for value (consideration)
- Taken the legal estate of the property
- Without notice that the equitable interest exists
What is actual knowledge?
Have knowledge of all the facts
What is imputed knowledge?
His solicitor or agent had actual or constructive knowledge
What was added in Kingnorth Finance Co Ltd v Tizard?
The purchaser must have made all inquiries and inspections (under s44(1) LPA 1925) in order to be considered equity’s darling
How could a purchaser try and remove third party rights generally?
- Could negotiate with the person who holds the benefit of interest
- However may have to consider elsewhere
What is overreaching?
Will take the land free of interests of beneficiary
To overreach must
- Be acquiring legal estate in the property
- Pay purchaser money to all the trustees, being at a minimum of 2 in number, or a trust corporation (s2 and 27 LPA 1925)
In a registered system when is the legal estate passed to the buyer?
Completion of the transfer does not occur until the buyer’s name is put on the register as the new owner of land
In what cases would there NOT be a compulsory first registration post LRA 2002?
- Gift
- Easement
3/ A lease under 7 years
What changed in the 2002 act regarding compulsory first registration?
The minimum lease at which it did not have to be registered went from 21 years to 7 years
What are the 4 categories of rights that exist over registered titles?
- Registrable dispositions
- IARE
- Overriding interests
- Interests of beneficiaries under a trust
What is special about Sch 3 Para 2?
It can be an overriding interest IF
- Interest in the land
- Beneficiary is in actual occupation
- Occupation was obvius on reasonably careful inspection or purchaser knew
- If the inquiry is made to the person, he must disclose it (unless unreasonable to do so)
What is meant by actual occupation?
Requires there to be physical presence on the land by the claimants [Williams & Glyn’s Bank v Boland]
What happened in Abbey National Building Society v Cann?
Moving furniture in to the house is NOT ACTUAL OCCUPATION
What happened in Lloyds Bank v Rosset?
Visiting the property regularly while it was being renovated to supervise contractors amounted to occupation as far as it was possible to occupy.
What happened in Chhokar v Chhokar?
TEMPORARY absence will not defeat actual occupation
What happened in Link Lending v Bustard?
If the occupier is absent but possessions still in property then actual occupation
What happened in Thompson v Foy?
If PERMANENT absence, then NOT ACTUAL OCCUPATION
What happened in Kling v Keston?
Car parked regularly in garage amounted to actual occupation
What happened in Stand Securities v Caswell?
Person who has the interest has to be the one in actual occupation
What happened in Malory v Cheshire Homes?
Fenced off field and put horses in the field = ACTUAL OCCUPATION
What is co-ownership?
This arises when two or more people have concurrent interests in the same estate in one piece of land.
Who owns the legal title when the land is first acquired?
The first four people named as trustees (s34(2) LPA 1925)
Cannot be under 18
What are the two types of co-ownership?
Joint tenancy
Tenancy in common
What is joint tenancy?
- Treated as a single person
- Do not own distinct shares
- The right of survivorship applies —> this means that if anyone dies, the survivors become the owners of that land
- If sold proceeds are shared equally
What is tenants in common?
- The law treats them as owning distinct shares in the cottage, that may be equal or unequal in size
- If one dies, their share falls in to their estate
- On sale the proceeds are equivalent to size of their distinct shares
How can joint tenancy become tenancy in common?
By the process of severance
How is the legal estate always held?
In joint tenancy (s1(6) LPA 1825
It is not possible to sever a joint tenancy of the legal estate
How do you decide whether the equitable interest is joint tenancy or tenancy in common?
Four tests
- Four unities
- Express statement
- Words of severance
- Equity
What are the four unities?
If these are met, the equitable interest can be held as either joint tenants or tenants in common. If not met then tenants in common
- Time - must have acquired interest in the property at the same time
- Title - must acquire the interest under the same document
- Interest - must be of the same nature and duration
- Possession - co-owners must be equally entitled to use and occupy the whole premises - they must not be able to exclude each other