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A conveyancer or solicitor will usually conduct a search of property title records during the settlement process, or it will be included in the contract of sale.
If you are doing your own conveyancing, or would just like to know what is on the property title, you can do your own search by following the process below for your state or territory.
The New South Wales Department of Land and Property Information no longer offers online title searches, but refers users to a selection of approved information portals. It does allow people to do searches in-person or through its document request service. The online portals offer a range of searches related to property information that includes property title searches.
Queensland allows you to do online title searches and access documents for $18.15. You need to go to the land, housing and property section on the environment, land and water page of the Queensland Government website. You will find a section on property titles, valuations and surveys where you can complete a property title search.
You can access property information in ACT through Access Canberra. However, to do searches and to access titles, you will need to visit a local Office of Regulatory Services or the Environment, Planning and Land Shopfront. There is an online subscriber service for a cost of $220 which covers a security token you will receive after you execute a Land titles online subscriber agreement. This subscriber service is more suited for professionals, as it is built for those who will be conducting title searches on a regular basis.
Victorian property information is accessible online at the government’s LANDATA website. This is where you conduct a property title search. There is a wealth of other information you can order at the same time as the property title search. It's a simple process, and the land title itself will cost you $14 as it incorporates the Register Search Statement (Title) and Land Index Search. You may also include other documents such as Copy of Plan ($6.50) depending on the property’s history.
An example of a property title search.
You can do a title search online in Tasmania through The List (Land Information System Tasmania) website. You will need to create an account to do any searches. A land title search, called a Folio Text on the website, will cost you $30.60.
For SA, you can access property titles and other property information through the Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure’s SALIS (South Australian Integrated Land Information System) website. You can do a search in SALIS through an account you register with them. Alternatively, there are select searches you can do as a guest, one of which is a land title search. The search will cost $27.75, and the site has a simple step-by-step guide for you to follow.
To do a title search online with the Western Australian government, you will need to visit the Landgate website. On the site, you will need to enter certain property details and pay $24.85.
The Northern Territory doesn’t allow for online searches for property titles. You will need to visit a land titles office in person, request a search by fax or over the phone. Professionals, such as conveyancers who regularly do land title searches, have access to an online portal called the Integrated Land Information System (ILIS) for a monthly fee.
Whether you are doing the checks yourself or have hired a professional to do the relevant searches for your purchase, there are key things you need to look at when you review the land title.
Make sure that you are purchasing the property from the authorised and registered owner of the property. There could be cases where individuals who aren’t registered as the official owners of the properties are putting them on the market. It is best to flag these issues so the issue is resolved before the sale is finalised.
These are restrictions placed on the land, whether by local council, land zoning or for other reasons. Some examples of encumbrances that may appear on a property title are mortgages held by the owner or easements that affect the use of the land.
An easement restricts the use of the land you are purchasing. These restrictions can range from the ability to build certain structures to the placement of water pipes or drainage on your land. It’s important to check for easements both for any future plans you may have for the property as well as the current structure on the land.
A caveat is when another party holds a claim on the property, such as a mortgage or other loan. The property’s owner can easily remove these caveats from the title before or at the time of settlement, depending on the type of caveat.
If there is a covenant on the property title, you should seek legal advice as they typically restrict what you can do or how you can interact with the property. One example of a covenant would be restrictions on the type of materials you can use to build a structure on that property. If there have been changes made to the property, there may be a note about this marked as a covenant. It will also include a copy of the plan associated with the change.
There is a final section on a property title for anything that has been registered with the land titles office. If the land title office doesn’t have anything registered in their system, they will simply put NIL in this section.
There are different property titles used for different property types and require different ownership structures. Here are some of the most common ones:
A thorough understanding of how property titles work and how to access them ensure you are better informed about the property purchasing process.
Title insurance is a minor cost, but it could be a major protection for your property purchase.
If you need to transfer or change property ownership for a NSW property, here's what you need to do.
Removing a name from a property title can require the help of a legal expert, and might come with fees depending on the state. Find out how to do it here.
Find out how a divorce can impact property you own and how to go about sorting your finances after a marriage breakup.
Learn more about the process and costs of changing your property ownership.
Adding a partner to your house title can be a simple undertaking, but it remains a legal process that undermines your full control of the property. It is best to make such a change with the full knowledge of its consequences and, if possible, limit it to your spouse or child.
I would like to know how many titles are on the property 104 best street sea lake as it is for sale and I am interested in purchasing it
Hey Robyn,
Thanks for getting in touch with Finder!
It’s nice to know that you are purchasing a property. To get information on how many titles are on 104 Best St. Sea Lake, you can reach out to a real estate agent in your location. As of this time, we don’t have this information on our site.
Hope this clarifies and best of luck on your property!
Best,
Nikki
How do you change a duplex strata to Torrens title?
Hello Julie,
Thank you for your comment.
In order to convert from strata to Torrens, you need to consolidate the entire strata plan, which generally means that you need to own the entire complex. Otherwise, if the lot you own is of a size which would qualify for the title in its own right (refer to the Local Environment Plan & Development Control Plan), then you’d need to submit a Developmental Application for the re-strata titling (new strata sub-division, compliance with any new DA requirements, building upgrades etc).
Best to consult this with the local government agency that handles property titles and deeds to discuss the process.
Should you wish to have real-time answers to your questions, try our chat box on the lower right corner of our page.
Regards,
Jhezelyn
We built our home before we got married after being together as de facto for 17 years. My partner took out mortgage on his own and I paid for rent and 2 children. We thought it easier that way at that time. We now have been married since 2006 and built our house and moved into it in 1999. We did not add my name on the deed as planned but would like to do so now. What forms do we need? Cost of adding name? and do we go to Parramatta Office? He has taken this week off work specifically for us to settle this at last, as we have left it for so long. We want to get all affairs properly settled for our two children’s (adults now) sake. Thank you kindly
Hi Florie,
Thanks for your question.
Kindly note that finder.com.au is a financial comparison and information service. As such we can’t give advice when it comes to changing the details of your property deed.
Each state have different processes and fees relating to changing the property deed. It would be best to reach out to the local government agency that handles property titles and deeds to discuss the process and fees in relation to making this change.
Cheers,
Anndy