Find Out Who Owns a Property & Who The Landlord Is?

Are you pulling your hair out as the students next door are blasting their music at 3am, or perhaps your neighbours are not getting rid of their rubbish and you now have rats running around your garden? Here is how to find out who owns a property and who the landlord is.

However, finding out this information can sometimes be a challenge, especially if you don’t know where to look. Fortunately, there are several ways to find out who owns a property in the UK.

In this blog post, I will provide you with top tips on how to find out who owns a property. By following these tips, you can easily uncover the ownership details of a property, including the owner’s name, address, and any charges or mortgages on the property.

Whether you’re a prospective buyer, a researcher, or just a curious neighbour, these tips will help you obtain the information you need.

If you are not a tenant, then you will have to do some investigative work to find out who owns a property and who is the landlord.

How to Find Out Who Owns a Property & Who The Landlord Is

Finding out who owns a property and who the landlord is not that straightforward, but there are steps you can take that will hopefully help you find out who the landlord is for a property:

• Ask the tenants directly
• Check for a ‘To Let’ board with managing agent’s details
• Use the Land Registry to get a copy of the property title
• Check the HMO register
• Talk to the Council
• Use publicly available information
• Ask tradesmen or cleaners
• Talk to long-standing neighbours

Tip #1: Ask The Tenants

Before doing anything else, you should directly ask the tenants for the landlord’s contact details. It is a good idea to do this before informing them of any issues or potential disputes. If they suspect that you plan to complain to the landlord, they are unlikely to provide you with the information.

You could say that you need to contact the landlord as you have some questions about the history of the property that they may be able to assist with.

Tip #2: Contact the Managing Agent

You may be able to find out if there is a managing agent by keeping an eye out for a “To Let” board on the property. If there is no board, you can contact the closest five estate agents or managing agents and send them a letter. If they are the agent, it is likely that they will not disclose confidential information to you.

However, you can explain your issues in the hope that the managing agent will address them with the tenants. You can also ask them to forward your contact details to the landlord, in the hope they contact you.

Tip #3: Check the Land Registry

One of the easiest and most reliable ways to find out who owns a property in the UK is to check the Land Registry. The Land Registry is the official government record of land and property ownership in England and Wales.

It provides detailed information about a property, including the name and address of the owner, any charges or mortgages on the property, and the boundaries of the land.

To access this information, you can search the Land Registry online. You will need to pay a fee to obtain the details, which can vary depending on the type of search you require. You can search by postcode, street address, or title number.

The Land Registry charges around £3 for you to download the title. The gov.uk website provides a clear guide on how to obtain a copy of the title, which can be accessed here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/land-registry-portal-how-to-request-official-copies#request-an-official-copy-of-a-register-title-plan-or-document.

However, be aware that addresses may not always be up to date, but it is a good starting point.

If the property is not registered at the Land Registry, you will not be able to download a copy of the title.

It’s worth noting that the Land Registry only covers England and Wales. If you’re looking for information about a property in Scotland, you’ll need to check the Registers of Scotland, and in Northern Ireland, you’ll need to check the Land and Property Services.

Tip #4: HMO Register

If the property is a registered House of Multiple Occupation (HMO), such as five students living in a shared house, it should be regulated by the Council. You can download a list of all HMOs from the Council’s website, which should include the contact information of the licensee or owner.

Tip #5: Contact the Council

Local authorities keep records of properties within their area, and these records may include information about property ownership.

To access these records, you can contact your local authority by phone, email, or in person. You will need to provide the address of the property and explain why you’re seeking the information.

It’s important to note that local authority records may not always have the most up-to-date information about property ownership. Additionally, if the property is owned by a company or trust, the local authority records may only list the company or trust name rather than the individual owner’s name.

However, due to confidentiality, they may not be able to directly provide you with the information. You can ask for their advice and explain the issues you are experiencing and hope they help.

Here’s a Quick Pro Tip!

Engaging in a conflict with your neighbour can be quite unpleasant, and such situations often seem to extend indefinitely.

However, discovering your neighbour in the act of committing an unlawful act can serve as irrefutable evidence to secure victory in your dispute.

To effectively address such circumstances, it is advisable to equip yourself with a reliable security system like the Ring Video Doorbell or Outdoor Security Cameras, both readily available on Amazon. This proactive measure proves to be a prudent choice in this scenario since visual evidence possesses the power to convey volumes of information beyond mere words.

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Tip #6: Use Publicly Available Information

There are various websites you can use to try and trace individuals, such as 192.com where you can search names against the electoral roll.

Tip #7: Watch Out For The Landlord In-between Tenancies

If you are trying to locate the landlord of a student house, most student tenancies typically last between 10-11 months, making it common for student properties to be vacant in August. This is usually the time when landlords will conduct any necessary maintenance and send in cleaners.

If you see anyone entering the property, it would be worth inquiring if they are the landlord. If they are, ask for their contact information in case of any future problems and also offer your contact information. This will provide you with an opportunity to discuss potential issues.

If there are tradespeople or cleaners present in the property, you could inquire about the landlord’s contact information. Explain that you need to get in touch with the landlord. If they are unwilling to provide it, note your details and ask them to pass it on to the landlord.

Tip #8: Talk to Long-standing Neighbours

Every street seems to have a neighbour who has lived on the street for most of their life and seems to know everyone. If there are neighbours who have lived on the street for a long time, you could politely ask if they know the landlord’s contact information.

As mentioned previously, if they do know but are unwilling to provide it, you could give them a letter to pass on to the landlord and hopefully, the landlord will contact you.

If You are the Tenant

It’s worth noting that if you are a tenant, then you are legally entitled to your landlord’s contact details under Section 1 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985.

Check your tenancy agreement or gas safety certificate, as the landlord’s address should be on that paperwork. If your property is managed by an agent, you can make a request in writing, and they have to provide the details within 21 days.

Conclusion

Finding out who owns a property can be a time-consuming and sometimes challenging process, but there are several tips and resources available to make the process easier.

It’s important to note that while finding out who owns a property is helpful for a variety of reasons, it’s important to respect the owner’s privacy and use the information ethically and responsibly.

Overall, whether you’re a prospective buyer or tenant, a homeowner looking to resolve property disputes, or just curious about the history of a property, these top tips can help you find out who owns a property in the UK.