LAND LAW Flashcards
What’s the difference between ‘estates’ and ‘interests in land’?
- Estates: ownership
- Interests in Land: rights over someone else’s land
Estate Contract
Arises at a very specific Point when the Parties exchange contracts.
Who owns Land in England & Wales?
The Crown.
Whose Property is Mines and Minerals?
Property of the Crown.
Concept
**Choses in Action v Choses in Possession
Corporeal Hereditament vs Incorporeal Hereditament
- Chose in Action Intangible Personal
- Chose in Possession Tangible Personal
- Corporeal Hereditament Tangible Real
- Incorporeal Hereditament Intangible Real
2 Estates
Also called tenure.
Freehold & Leasehold
What is Legal Ownership and What is Equitable Ownership?
- Legal Ownership: Legal right to sell or transfer the piece of land.
- Equitable Ownership: Any beneficial rights, including the right to take money.
RENTCHARGES
Paid by the Landowner of a Freehold Estate to a Third Party who normally has no other interest in the property.
These have changed since the introduction of the Rentcharges Act 1977, which looks to extinguish all rentcharges by 2037.
A rentcharge can be used to enforce a POSITIVE COVENANT.
RIGHT OF ENTRY
This could be to a third party to legally take or resume possession of a property, such as if a tenant has breached the terms of a lease.
When two Persons contributed to the purchase price but it is registered into the name of One of them.
The Other Physical Person Holds Equitable Interest by way of a Resulting Trust.
5 Legal Rights
MERRP
Mortgages
Easements
Rentcharges
Rights of Entry
Profits a Prendre
What are the Equitable Interests?
- Restrictive Covenants
- Estate Contracts
When Equity steps in?
Equity steps in when someone has tried to create a legal intetest in land, but the attempt failed due to some lack of formality.
e.g. an equitable mortgage or equitable easement arise when a legal mortgage or legal easement have failed due to some lack of formality.
What are the two systems to determine who owns freeholds title to land?
The Registered System
&
The Unregistered System
Unregistered System:
what to prove?
- Good root title
- Unbroken chain of ownership for a minimum period of 15 years.
Documents in Unregistered Title
- mortgage deed
- conveyance on sale
- deed of gift
- assent
Third Party Rights that may be enforceable against the buyer after they complete the purchase
- Legal Interests thet bind all purchases of freehold estate irrespective of notice.
- Beneficial Interests binding on all under notice Except Equity’s Darling.
- Certain Equitable Interests- Entry of Land Charge on the HMLR Land Charges Register (these include equitable easements, restrictive covenants, estate contracts, mantrimonial homes rights and equitable mortgages). Registration as a land charge constitutes actual notice to all persons of the interest or right that is registered.
Triggers for 1st Registration
- a conveyance on sale of freehold land
- an assent
- a deed of gift
- a grant of first legal mortgage
- a grant of lease for more than 7 years
Once the title is registered the unregistered title ceases to have legal effect.
What’s the difference between a proprietary and personal right?
Proprietary : enforceable against 3rd parties and can be enforced by an action in rem (use/possession can be recovered) - don’t have to settle for damages
Personal : only binds original parties & damages is only remedy
What proprietary rights are there?
- Freehold,
- Leasehold,
- Easement,
- Restrictive Covenant,
- Mortgage,
- Estate Contract,
- Beneficial Interest in a trust of land
What is an owner’s right to airspace?
height restricted to necessary for
- ordinary use and
- enjoyment of the land (lower airspace)
What are the rules on lower airspace?
If a structure overhangs a property in lower airspace, it trespasses irrespective of causing damage
What tests are applied to determine if something is a fixture or fitting?
Degree of Annexation
Purpose of Annexation
What’s the law on fixtures regarding a transfer of land?
A transfer of land automatically includes all fixtures, except those specifically excluded.
What is an easement?
A proprietary right to use land which belongs to someone else
Can be a legal (certain term) or equitable (uncertain term) interest
What is an estate contract?
A contractual right to a legal estate, whether freehold or leasehold
An equitable interest arises from the contract
What happens if the current owner of a freehold estate dies without next of kin and without a will?
Land is regarded as bona vacantia and estate reverts to the Crown.
What is freehold reversion?
The residue of the estate where a leasehold is granted.
What is a commonhold?
A type of freehold: an alternative to a long lease, with no overall landlord
Freehold older which is a commonhold association.
Introduced by the Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Act 2002, it allows for the freehold ownership of individual units (such as apartments or flats) within a larger development or building, combined with shared ownership and responsibility for common areas like lobbies, gardens, and staircases.
Key aspects of Commonhold ownership include:
Individual Unit Ownership: Each owner holds the freehold title to their specific unit (e.g., an apartment) indefinitely, unlike a leasehold, which is limited by the lease’s duration.
Commonhold Association: The communal areas are managed by a “commonhold association,” a company made up of the individual unit owners, who share responsibility for the maintenance and management of these areas. Each unit owner is a member of this association.
Shared Responsibilities: Owners pay for the upkeep of common areas through service charges or contributions agreed upon by the association. Decisions about management and repairs are made collectively.
This system aims to give property owners greater control and stability compared to leasehold, where landlords (freeholders) often retain significant influence over property management, ground rents, and lease terms.
What are the remedies available for breach of a land/estate contract?
- Damages
- specific performance &
- injunction
(at discretion of court & equitable principles apply)
When do we have an equitable interest where a valid/ deed contract is not created?
- Complies with the formalities.
- Specific performance is available.
What are the requirements for a valid mortgage in UK law?
Valid deed
+
Registered as a charge
What are the requirements for a valid mortgage in UK law?
Proper Execution of the Mortgage Deed
The mortgage must be executed by deed, which is a formal, written document. The essential formalities include:
Written Form: The mortgage must be in writing, as required by Section 53(1)(a) of the Law of Property Act 1925.
Signed by the Borrower: The deed must be signed by the borrower, who is transferring a legal interest in the property as security.
Witnessed and Delivered: The signature must be witnessed by an independent party, and the deed must be delivered (typically considered done when the deed is signed and handed over).
5. Compliance with the Law of Property Act 1925
Under the Law of Property Act 1925, a legal mortgage must comply with specific legal provisions, including:
Form of Charge: The mortgage is usually created by way of a legal charge, which gives the lender rights over the property if the borrower defaults.
Registration:
For registered land, the mortgage must be registered at the Land Registry to be legally effective. The lender’s charge over the property is entered into the register, which protects the lender’s interest.
For unregistered land, the mortgage must be registered under the Land Charges Act 1972.
6. First Legal Charge
Typically, a valid mortgage grants the lender a first legal charge over the property, meaning that the lender has priority over other creditors in the event of default and repossession.
What 2 rights are automatically granted by mortgage to a lender?
- Right to Possess Property (to ensure it’s vacant for sale)
- Power to Sell Property
In what 2 ways can an equitable mortgage arise?
- Mortgage of an Equitable Interest: borrower holds equitable interest in land - they are not the legal owner
- Defective Legal Mortgage: not a valid deed OR not completed by registration; but (for either) complies with estate contract requirements
What is ‘Equity of Redemption’?
Borrower has an equitable right to redeem
Equity will look unfavourably & be prepared to declare void any term trying to postpone/prevent redemption
Market value LESS outstanding debt
What 3 principles apply to equity of redemption?
- It supplements legal right to redemption
- No postpone/prevention of redemption: won’t allow a clause that prevents redemption altogether; an option to purchase may be declared void if granted at same time as mortgage
- No collateral advantages: solus tie is upheld if ends within mortgage term; other collateral terms struck out if unconscionable
What procedure should a bank take to not be liable for undue influence?
- Write to party granting mortgage NOT for their benefit, saying that they need confirmation from an independent solicitor that transactions been explained to them
- Ask party to nominate solicitor
- Provide all info to solicitor
- Don’t proceed to lend until confirmation received
What is the order of priority for equitable mortgages?
Order of creation
What happens to the order of priority where an equitable mortgage is protected by notice?
- That mortgage will take priority over a subsequent legal mortgage
- Will not affect priority between competing equitable mortgages though - always on date of creation
- Legal mortgage will take priority over equitable mortgage not protected
How can priority rules of mortgages be modified?
- By postponement of pre-existing interest
- Lenders agree to alter position/order with agreement registered
What remedies are there for a lender?
- Debt Action
- Appoint a Receiver
- Foreclosure
- Possession
- Right to Sell