Land title research is the process of ensuring that a real estate title has no liens or title deficiencies, as well as other encumbrances that will prevent an interested party to take ownership of a particular piece of land.
This type of research is usually initiated by a prospective land buyer to confirm the name of the property owner, the state of land tenure and to guarantee that he or she will be receiving a clean title once a purchase has been made.
The task of the title searcher is not that easy. There are a lot of things that need to be researched and the searcher must be aware of the various laws that could affect the land title research procedure.
Types of Land Title Research
A Full Title Search
A full title search is a land title research that determines the following:
- Land title owner’s name
- Legal Description of the Title
- PIN (Property Identifier Number), if available
- How the land title is held (Tenants in common, Joint Tenants, etc…)
- The subdivision agreements
- If there are any liens
- Restrictions and covenants on the title
- Identify the easements in the land title
- The mortgage and charges on the property
- If the property is leased or rented
- The bylaws registered
A Sub Search
A sub search is a land title research that determines the following:
- Land title owner’s name
- Encumbrances (i.e. mortgages/charges/liens)
- PIN (Property Identifier Number), if available
- Legal Description of the title
An Environmental Title Search
An environmental title search is a land title search that determines the following:
- Chain of Title
- Environmental liens
- List of Easements
- List of Leases
Historical Title Search
A historical title search is a land search that determines the following:
- City or town service sites
- Land Surveyors
- Court houses
- Municipal office links
Key Takeaway:
- A land title research is the process of ensuring that a real estate title has no liens or title deficiencies, as well as other encumbrances that will prevent an interested party to take ownership of a particular land.
- The types of land title research include the following: Full Title Search, Sub Search, Environmental Title Search and Historical Title Search.
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