LAND TITLE

[slates]

We live in a development of 9 bungalows. The developer says the title deeds are being held up due to illegal structures build by us. 7 of the owners have put in car ports. The developer himself has constructed a few of these "illegal structures", (swimming pool pump houses). We have an architect who has applied for amnesty for all of us. The developer is trying to get us to apply for LAND TITLE. Is there any advantage to this? Can the 2 houses that do not have illegal structures get separate title?

[Nigel Howarth]

Hi slates and welcome to the forum.

You should apply for the title to the land as once this is registered in your name, you will own the land and everything built on it. Once the bungalows have (hopefully) passed the amnesty process it will be a simple process of adding the bungalows to the deeds.

Regards,

[slates]

Hello Nigel,
Thank you for you prompt reply. I now hear 2 of the properties have mortgages which were secured by the developer. If we get land title will we then be responsible for obtaining our own titled deeds. In other words once we have land title the developer is no longer responsible? I feel way out of water here and wonder if I am even asking the correct questions. Perhaps you could suggest a decent English speaking lawyer?
Kind regards

[Nigel Howarth]

You're welcome slates,

I expect the developer has yet to sub-divide the land into individual plots as he needs the Certificate of Final Approval before he can do this. So once your name is added to the land deed you will own a share of the whole plot on which the developer is building. As there are nine bungalows I expect this will be a one ninth share or thereabouts.

The loans that the buyers of two of the properties have taken will not affect you as when the land is eventually sub-divided and Title Deeds issued, these will be converted into mortgages and lodged against the deeds of the relevant properties.

(Having your name added to the deed as a part-owner does not mean that the developer will no longer be responsible for getting individual title deeds issued - it just helps to protect your interests.)

Getting the individual Title Deeds issued is complicated by the "illegal structures", which will hopefully be resolved under the provisions of the Town Planning Amnesty.

The British High Commission publishes a list of English speaking lawyers who can help - you'll find it at https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/s ... mplate.pdf - but you should let the British High Commission know about your experiences using the feedback form provided.

Regards,

[slates]

Thank you once again. We will contact a lawyer and hopefully get this mess resolved!