How can a solicitor discover whether the title to a property is registered?

• A. Search of the Land Registry portal
• B. By using HMLR Map Search or Search of the Index Map
• C. By inspecting the physical deeds only
• D. By requesting a local authority search

Answer: (B)

Determining whether land is registered is about checking the Land Registry map resources. The quickest way to find out is to use the HMLR Map Search or the Search of the Index Map. These tools let you search the official map by address or location to see if a title number exists for the land. If a title number appears, the land is registered, and you can then view the corresponding Title Register and Title Plan on the Land Registry portal for full details. If no title number is shown, the land is likely unregistered.

Relying on physical deeds alone isn’t reliable for proving registration status—registered land is tied to the map and title numbers, not just the deeds. A local authority search, meanwhile, looks at local charges and planning, not registration status. So the map-based search is the direct, definitive method.