Legal Glossary

A summary of the documents that prove ownership of a property, showing the history of ownership and any rights or restrictions affecting it.

A summary or list of relevant title deeds proving the history of ownership of a property.

A road (and ancillary paths and sometimes verges) maintained by the local authority at public expense.

The original amount of the loan from a Bank or Building Society.

An indication from a mortgage lender that they would be willing to lend a certain amount to a prospective borrower based on some initial checks.

The transfer document by which the representatives of a deceased owner transfer the property to the person entitled.

A tenancy agreement that lets the landlord regain possession at the end of the agreed period.

A person appointed to act for another and sign documents on their behalf.

Sale to the highest bidder with contracts exchanged immediately and completion usually within 28 days.

The solicitor's charge for moving money electronically between bank accounts.

The interest rate set by the Bank of England on which most other rates are based.

A search to check if old brine (salt) workings might affect the property.

Local authority approval for the method of construction and materials used in building work.

A detailed inspection of a property's condition, highlighting any structural problems or necessary repairs.

Money paid by the lender on completion of a mortgage when included in the mortgage offer.

Linked transactions where Seller 1 sells to Buyer 1, Buyer 1 sells to Buyer 2, and so on.

A mortgage or any other loan secured on the property.

A search to see if the property is registered as common land or part of a village green.

The day legal ownership changes. The seller moves out and the buyer moves in.

The written legal agreement signed by seller and buyer that sets out their rights and obligations.

A deed used to transfer ownership of an unregistered property.

The legal process of buying and selling land and property.

A rule or restriction in a property deed that affects how the property can be used or modified.

Legal promises or obligations.

A document or deed containing an agreement to pay or do something.

A document or deed used to transfer ownership of property from one person to another without any payment being made.

A document where one person agrees to be responsible for another's debt or mortgage.

Documents that postpone rights, grant rights, or vary existing terms affecting the title.

A document that corrects an error in an existing title document.

A deed where a lender agrees its mortgage will rank after another lender's mortgage.

Documents proving ownership of the property.

Money paid on exchange of contracts as security for the buyer's performance.

Payments a solicitor makes on your behalf.

A search to see if contamination, flooding, or similar risks may affect the property.

The difference between the property's value and the mortgage owed.

The point when seller and buyer become legally bound to complete on an agreed date.

The list of items that will stay or be removed, preventing disputes.

The form where the seller lists items included in the sale.

Where part of one property is built over part of another and ownership is not leasehold.

Absolute title to the land.

The person who owns the freehold.

The standard guarantee of absolute ownership given to the buyer.

Additional money lent to an owner after completion on similar terms to the original mortgage.

Rent paid by a lessee to a lessor on a leasehold property, often yearly.

A fee a lender may charge when borrowing exceeds a set percentage of the property's value.

A Land Registry search to see if a property is registered.

A search against a person's name for bankruptcy proceedings.

The government authority that registers property transfers in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

The fee paid to register any change at the Land Registry.

A search to check if anything new has been registered against the property.

The person entitled to receive ground rent from the lessee or tenant.

The document setting out rights and obligations of landlord and tenant.

Ownership for a limited period, often involving an annual ground rent.

See Mortgage.

A bank, building society, or other party lending money to an owner.

The current owner of the leasehold property.

Another word for landlord.

Given by a seller who has limited knowledge of the property.

Questions sent to the local authority about the property.

A detailed search asking many questions about the property.

A search to see if coal mining might affect the property.

The document used when a lender lends money secured on a property.

The terms on which the lender is prepared to lend.

The agreed time for repaying the loan.

The lender benefiting from the mortgage security.

The property owner who grants the mortgage.

Sets repair and maintenance terms for overhanging or overhung properties.

A non-owner occupier's consent to a new mortgage.

A wall jointly owned with a neighbour.

Approval to build, alter, or change use.

A deed enabling someone to act and sign on your behalf.

A road not maintained at public expense.

A questionnaire the sellers complete for the buyer.

A search to see if radon gas affects the property.

The repayment of an existing mortgage.

Paying off a charge on completion.

A lender's charge if the loan is repaid early.

Property registered at the Land Registry.

Paying off one mortgage and taking another with a different lender.

A modest rent payable on some freehold properties.

Payment to a builder or developer to reserve a new property.

A payment to cover insurance or maintenance of a development.

Tax payable on completion of a purchase over a set value.

Movement of a property due to poor construction or ground shift.

For most purposes, the same as lessee.

A search to see if tin mining might affect the property.

The owner's right of ownership.

The old-style documents proving ownership.

A dealing with property.

The deed that moves ownership from one person to another.

Moving one owner's share to another or gifting with no payment.

An order protecting specified trees.

Property not yet registered at the Land Registry.

The seller must leave the property empty of people and belongings.

A simple survey to confirm the property's value.

An older term for seller.

An application by the owner of unregistered property to register it.

A written agreement giving a service provider rights for cables over or under land.