FAQ

Names Index: A record of the names and addresses of every Registered Owner.

The index is kept in respect of each county and shows the folio number(s) corresponding to the name.

Folio: This is a part of the register with its own distinct number on which details of the property, its ownership and any burdens affecting it appear.

Map: Original Ordnance Survey and other maps with all registered property delineated thereon are maintained in the Registry.

Instrument: When a Dealing is finally completed, the title documents retained here are called Instruments. They bear the number which they were given when they were lodged as Dealings e.g. D2002WS005555X.

2. Land Registry Searches:Who is entitled to inspect documents?

Names Index, folio and map can be inspected by anyone on payment of the prescribed fee.

Any person entitled to inspect a document filed in the Registry may obtain a copy of it. Entitled People include property owners.

3. What information is available on a folio?

There are three parts to a folio. Part 1 provides the details of the property. These include description, location, land registry plan reference and also any rights that would attach to the property. The area of the property is usually shown. Details of property transferred from the folio are also contained in Part 1. Part 2 contains details of the registered owners and the quality of the title and would also include any cautions or inhibitions registered against the property. Part 3 contains details of all burdens registered against the property. These would include mortgages, rights of way, fishing and sporting rights etc.

4. How do I obtain a copy of a folio and/or map?

A plain copy of a folio can be ordered through the online form. This costs €18 per folio and €28 for the folio and detailed map. Certified copy folios with maps (title plans) can be ordered by the same method and the fee for this is €89.

5. How long does it take for a certified copy folio and/or title plan to issue?

All folios issue within a few hours of the application. This also applies for approximately 80%of copy folio and title plan applications. Certified copies usually issue within 24 hours, if there is no existing title plan prepared or if there are pending applications that affect the map, this will lead to a delay in the map issuing. The delay can vary from a couple of days up to months, depending on the circumstances.

6. I have a dispute with my neighbour over where the boundary lies. Can you tell me who is right?

No. The Land Registry map is an index map and identifies property, not boundaries. Therefore, the land registry are not in a position to advise.

7. I am applying for planning permission. Do I need to contact the Land Registry?

No. The Land Registry is not involved in the planning process. Folio and maps are suitable for proof of ownership documents to be lodged with a planning application, but the map is not suitable for other planning purposes.

8. What do the different stages of registration mean?

Application Pre-Lodged:

Application entered on system by solicitor but not yet lodged for registration

Awaiting Attention: Application received but documents not yet assessed. Application may still be rejected

For Further Attention: Used when dealing has been assessed and where no other status is applicable

To be Mapped: Awaiting the preparation of a new map

Mapped: Mapping stage completed. Awaiting the drafting of a new folio

Mapping Query: Query issued in relation to the mapping of the application

Queried: Query issued by dealing section

To be Printed: For copy map and copy folio applications only. Awaiting printing and issue

Completed: Application completed

Abandoned: Documents returned, unable to proceed with registration

Withdrawn: Documents returned at request of lodging party

Refused: Application refused and documents returned

Transferred: Documents lodged transferred to another application

Rejected: Documents returned, as not in order

9. What is the difference between the Land Registry and the Registry of Deeds?

There are two separate systems for recording transactions in relation to property in Ireland:

• The Registry of Deeds system operated by the Registry of Deeds.

• The Registration of Title system operated by the Land Registry.

Both systems are under the control and management of the Property Registration Authority. For administrative purposes both Registries form part of the Property Registration Authority. The two systems are mutually exclusive in the sense that in a particular transaction relating to land the title will be either:

• “unregistered” (i.e. the title is not yet registered in the Land Registry and so the Registry of Deeds system applies) or

• “registered” (i.e. the title has been registered in the Land Registry and so the Registry of Deeds system is irrelevant)

Approximately 92% of the land in Ireland is registered which represents 87% of titles. The primary function of the Registry of Deeds system is to provide a system of recording the existence of deeds and conveyances affecting unregistered property. A failure to register may result in that document losing priority to a subsequent document which is registered. A search in the Registry of Deeds will disclose only whether documents have been executed dealing with the land in question – to discover the effect of these documents, the documents themselves (which are not retained by the Registry of Deeds) will have to be examined.

When a title is accepted for registration in the Land Registry the original title documents are retained and permanently filed. A folio is opened in respect of the property and generally it is not necessary to refer to the original title documents again. A certified copy of this folio can be obtained with or without a copy of the map outlining the property.

The title shown on the folio is guaranteed by the State which is bound to indemnify any person who suffers loss through a mistake made by the Land Registry. A purchaser can, therefore, accept the folio as evidence of title without having to read the relevant deeds.

10. When is it compulsory to register property?

Any unregistered property purchased in the state after 1 June 2011 is subject to compulsory first registration

Registration is compulsory in the following cases:

• Land bought under the Land Purchase Acts.
• Land acquired after 1st January 1967 by a statutory authority.
• Land sold in counties Carlow, Meath, Laois from 1 January 1970.
• Land sold in counties Westmeath, Longford and Roscommon from 1 April 2006.
• From 1st October 2008, compulsory registration is extended to six additional counties, Clare, Kilkenny, Louth, Sligo, Wexford and Wicklow (S.I. 81 of 2008).
• With effect from 1 January 2010, compulsory registration is extended to the following additional counties; Cavan, Donegal, Galway, Kerry, Kildare, Leitrim, Limerick, Mayo, Monaghan, North Tipperary, Offaly, South Tipperary and Waterford and cities Galway, Limerick and Waterford [as defined in Section 10 of the Local Government Act 2001] (S.I. 176 of 2009).
• From 1 June 2011, compulsory registration is extended to the cities and counties of Cork and Dublin S.I. 516 of 2010).