Land Law Flashcards
What are the 3 categories of objects on land? Which objects transfer with ownership of the land?
- Fittings - chattels that do not pass with the land
- Fixture - usually transfer with the land, sometimes removable
- Improvement - permanent addition to the premises
2 rules regarding ownership of landlord’s fixtures?
- Items abandoned by installing tenant become landlord’s property
- Landlord’s fixtures replaced by tenant remain landlord’s fixtures
What is the key difference between a legal and equitable property right?
Equitable property rights do not bind a bona fide purchaser of a legal estate for value without notice
What are the five interests in land that can exist as a legal interest (besides freehold and leasehold)?
- Easement
- Rentcharge for fixed period of time or in perpetuity
- Charge by legal mortgage
- Charge on land not created by instrument
- Rights of entry annexed to a rentcharge or leasehold estate
4 elements required for a valid deed?
- Signature
2.Witnessed - Delivered as a deed
- In writing
What 3 elements does S.2 of the LPMPA stipulate for a valid contract for sale of land?
- In writing
- Contain all terms of the contract in one document (including by express reference to another document)
- Signed by each party to the contract
Purpose of the Land Charges Department? Five registers maintained by the Land Charges Department?
Protect interests in unregistered land
- Land Charges
- Pending land actions and actions in bankruptcy
- Writs and orders affecting land and in bankruptcy
- Deeds of arrangement affecting land
- Annuities
Which important interest CANNOT be protected under the Land Charges Act?
Interest in unregistered land under a trust of land or settlement
3 essential searches a solicitor should conduct with the Land Charges Department when conveyancing unregistered land?
- Request office copy of register using Form K19
- Conduct index map search
- Official search of index to obtain registered entries
What is the purpose of “good root of title”?
To show an unbroken and unfettered chain of ownership for a period of AT LEAST 15 YEARS at the date of exchange, ending with the current owner
Important point when searching a register for encumbrances on unregistered land?
Search should be conducted against the names of the current and previous estate owners, not the property
Three components of the Title Register of the Land Register?
- Property Register
- Proprietorship Register
- Charges Register
What is the definition of overriding interests? Four examples?
Interests that cannot be protected by registration but which will bind any third party buying the land or any interest in it
- Rights of persons in actual occupation
- Charges in favour of a local authority
- Legal easements
- Legal leases for seven years or less
What is a substantively registrable estate? Give four examples.
- Fee simple absolute in possession
- Leases > 7 years
- Profit a prendre in gross
- Estate rentcharge
What is an estate rentcharge?
An annual sum paid by a freehold owner to a third party (who need not, and normally does not, have any other interest in the land)
Three scenarios where a person in actual occupation at the time of disposition will not have an overriding interest?
- Inquiry was made of the person before the disposition but he failed to disclose the right when he could reasonably have been expected to do so
- Occupation would not have been obvious on a reasonably careful inspection of the land at the time of the disposition, and the transferee had no actual knowledge of it
- Leasehold estate takes effect in possession after the end of a period of three months beginning with the date of the grant, and has not taken effect in possession at the time of the disposition
4 requirements for unregistered easements or profits a prendre to constitute overriding interests?
- Must be LEGAL interest
- OBVIOUS on reasonably careful inspection
- Transferee has ACTUAL KNOWLEDGE of the easement
- Easement was exercised in the 12 MONTHS PRIOR to the disposition
What kind of register entry should be made to protect an interest under a trust?
An interest under a trust cannot be protected by entry of a Notice.
What is a Notice?
An entry in the Register of a benefit or burden of an interest affecting the land
What is a Restriction?
An entry on the Proprietorship Register showing either: (1) the powers of the proprietor are limited or (2) a prior condition must be met before a disposition can be registered
What is the effect of the first in time rule? How does registration affect this?
Interests in a registered estate or charge are prioritised by their order of CREATION, generally.
However, under the LRA 2002, REGISTERED dispositions for VALUABLE CONSIDERATION can override and postpone unprotected interests
What is the difference between “good” and “qualified” leasehold title?
- Good leasehold title: landlord’s title has not been registered with absolute title or is unregistered
- Qualified freehold title: hassome defect or right that is specified on the Register
3 important situations triggering first registration?
- Transfer of freehold or leasehold with > 7 years to run
- Grant of a new lease > 7 years
- Creation of a first legal mortgage over either a freehold or a lease > 7 years
Requirements for absolute leasehold title?
- Lease is vested in the owner
- Lease was validly granted