Title search (land titles)

When a business sale includes land, the buyer needs to know who owns it and what is registered against it. A title search shows that. The two provinces below each run their own registry, so check the registry and process in the province where the land is.

British Columbia

The Land Title and Survey Authority says a title search is a record issued by the land title office setting out the particulars of a title, generated from the land title register at a specific point in time. A title lists the registered owners, legal description, parcel identifier, and the charges, liens and interests registered against it. It does not show past owners.

Alberta

The Government of Alberta says its land registration system is based on the Torrens system and operates under the Land Titles Act, and that the government has custody of the original titles and legal responsibility for the validity and security of registered land title information.

What to check

• Whether the registered owner is the seller or the seller’s company
• Which mortgages, liens and other charges are registered, and which will be discharged at closing

See what to do about an unresolved lien on the title on closing day and lien search.