Land Registry

Learn what a land registry is in Canadian real estate, how it functions, and why it’s essential for confirming ownership and legal property rights.

Land Registry

May 22, 2025


What is a Land Registry?

A land registry is the official government system that records and maintains information about property ownership, boundaries, legal interests, and encumbrances.

Why Land Registries Matter in Real Estate

In Canadian real estate, every province operates its own land registry or land titles system. These records are used to verify who legally owns a property and to disclose any liens, easements, or mortgages registered against it.

Land registries support:
  • Title transfers
  • Mortgage registration and discharge
  • Title insurance underwriting
  • Legal protection of ownership rights

Buyers, lawyers, and lenders rely on land registry searches to confirm title validity before closing. Fees may apply to register or retrieve records.

Understanding land registries ensures accurate ownership documentation and helps prevent fraud or legal disputes.

Example of a Land Registry in Action

Before closing, the buyer’s lawyer reviews the land registry to confirm the seller is the legal owner and that the property is free of liens.

Key Takeaways

  • Government-managed record of property ownership.
  • Confirms legal title and encumbrances.
  • Used in all transactions and financing.
  • Essential for title security.
  • Varies by province.

Related Terms

Additional Terms

Budgeting

Budgeting in real estate refers to the process of forecasting and managing income and expenses associated with owning, operating, or developing a property.. more

Tenant Improvements

Tenant improvements refer to custom modifications or build-outs made to a leased space to suit the tenant’s operational needs, often negotiated as. more

Highest and Best Use

Highest and best use refers to the reasonably probable use of a property that results in the highest value, provided it is legally permissible,. more

Gross Lease

A gross lease is a commercial lease where the tenant pays a fixed rent, and the landlord covers most or all operating expenses such as property. more

Brownfield

A brownfield is a property that was previously used for industrial or commercial purposes and is now vacant or underused, often requiring. more

Record of Site Condition (RSC)

A Record of Site Condition (RSC) is a formal document filed with a provincial environmental authority certifying that a property meets required. more

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