Land Registration Flashcards
Which institution is responsible for administering the land register in England & Wales?
A) The Law Society
B) The Land Registry
C) The Supreme Court
D) The Property Tribunal
B) The Land Registry
📌 Explanation: The Land Registry is the official state institution that manages land ownership records.
Which of the following is not an advantage of registered land?
A) The title is guaranteed by the state
B) Ownership details can be accessed online
C) The land is automatically free from third-party interests
D) It speeds up conveyancing
C) The land is automatically free from third-party interests
📌 Explanation: Third-party interests still exist, but they must be registered to be enforceable.
What is the main disadvantage of unregistered land?
A) There is no proof of ownership
B) Ownership records are not centralized
C) The government does not recognize it
D) It is illegal to buy or sell unregistered land
B) Ownership records are not centralized
📌 Explanation: Unregistered land relies on old paper deeds, making ownership harder to verify.
Which legal provision governs first registration of unregistered land?
A) LPA 1925
B) LRA 2002, s 4
C) LP(MP)A 1989
D) Trusts of Land and Appointment of Trustees Act 1996
B) LRA 2002, s 4
📌 Explanation: LRA 2002, s 4 states that certain transactions trigger first registration of unregistered land.
What triggers compulsory land registration in unregistered land?
A) The owner changing their address
B) Selling or mortgaging the property
C) Using the land for commercial purposes
D) Making improvements to the property
B) Selling or mortgaging the property
📌 Explanation: Sales, mortgages, and leases over 7 years trigger first registration.
Sophie buys a freehold house that is unregistered. She forgets to register it within two months. What happens next?
A) Sophie retains ownership, but pays a fine
B) Sophie loses legal ownership, and the title reverts to the seller
C) The Land Registry automatically registers the title for her
D) The property remains unregistered, but she is still the legal owner
B) Sophie loses legal ownership, and the title reverts to the seller
📌 Explanation: Under LRA 2002, ss 4 & 6, failing to register within two months results in title reverting to the seller.
Ben’s property is registered. He sells it to Anna, but forgets to update the Land Registry. What is Anna’s legal position?
A) Anna has legal ownership despite the lack of registration
B) Anna has only an equitable interest until registration is complete
C) Ben remains the legal owner permanently
D) The property automatically reverts to the state
B) Anna has only an equitable interest until registration is complete
📌 Explanation: Under LRA 2002, s 27(1), legal ownership transfers only upon registration.
John owns unregistered land. He sells it to Lisa, but his neighbor claims a right of way that is not recorded in any documents. Lisa argues she did not know about it.
Who has the stronger legal claim?
A) Lisa, because unregistered rights must be formally recorded
B) The neighbor, if they can prove a prescriptive easement
C) John, because he no longer owns the land
D) The Land Registry, as it must decide on disputes
B) The neighbor, if they can prove a prescriptive easement
📌 Explanation: In unregistered land, some rights (e.g., easements) can exist without being recorded if used for 20+ years.
Emily owns registered land. A fraudulent buyer forges her signature and registers themselves as the owner. The fraud is later discovered.
What happens next?
A) The fraudster remains the legal owner
B) Emily automatically regains ownership
C) Emily may be compensated, but the fraudster stays the owner
D) The Land Registry corrects the title and compensates any innocent party
D) The Land Registry corrects the title and compensates any innocent party
📌 Explanation: State-backed guarantee ensures innocent victims of fraud can be compensated.
What percentage of land in England and Wales remains unregistered?
A) 5%
B) 13%
C) 25%
D) 50%
B) 13%
📌 Explanation: The Land Registry estimates that 13% of land in England and Wales remains unregistered.
Which of the following is not a triggering event for compulsory land registration under LRA 2002, s 4?
A) The sale of a freehold estate
B) The grant of a lease for 5 years
C) The grant of a lease for 10 years
D) The first legal mortgage of a property
B) The grant of a lease for 5 years
📌 Explanation: A lease must be for more than 7 years to trigger compulsory registration under LRA 2002, s 4.
Which main advantage of registered land protects a buyer if they purchase land from someone who fraudulently claims to own it?
A) The state guarantee of ownership
B) The ability to register an overriding interest
C) The requirement to have written contracts
D) The principle of adverse possession
A) The state guarantee of ownership
📌 Explanation: The Land Registry guarantees ownership, meaning a buyer who suffers a loss due to fraud may be entitled to compensation.
Oliver’s property is unregistered. He sells it to Maya, who forgets to register the title. Two years later, Oliver sells the same land to another buyer, Jack, who registers it immediately.
Who is the legal owner of the land?
A) Maya, because she bought it first
B) Jack, because he registered the title first
C) Oliver, because he never lost ownership
D) Maya and Jack own it jointly
B) Jack, because he registered the title first
📌 Explanation: Under LRA 2002, registration is what transfers legal title. Since Maya failed to register, she only held an equitable interest, and Jack became the legal owner upon registration.
Samantha wants to purchase land but cannot find it on the Land Registry. What does this indicate?
A) The land is protected by an overriding interest
B) The land is likely unregistered
C) The land has been lost to adverse possession
D) The land is owned by the Crown
B) The land is likely unregistered
📌 Explanation: If land does not appear in the Land Registry, it is probably unregistered and requires paper title deeds to prove ownership.
Emma buys land from Brian, and they complete the deed transfer. However, Emma fails to register the transaction for three months. Brian then takes out a mortgage on the property, using the land as security.
Who has the stronger legal right over the land?
A) Emma, because she completed the deed transfer first
B) The mortgage lender, because Brian was still the legal owner
C) Emma and Brian share ownership until the registration is complete
D) Brian, because he never lost legal ownership
B) The mortgage lender, because Brian was still the legal owner
📌 Explanation: Under LRA 2002, s 27(1), legal ownership does not transfer until registration. Since Emma failed to register, Brian remained the legal owner and could legally mortgage the land.
