The Land Registry

According to the Land Registry, "The advantages of registering land [with my annotations in square brackets] are:

"A registered title is guaranteed [except when it isn't].

"There is a public record of ownership, rights, covenants and mortgages [which may be inaccurate].

"Simple forms replace complicated documents [but may lack essential information].

"Disputes may be resolved more easily [not necessarily, since one may not have access to vital documents. In my case McAlpine, the builders of my property, sold their business to Wimpey, who refused to provide the documents unless I sued them.]

"Dealings with land can take place with confidence [I was misled].

"Examination of title is simpler and quicker [but may be misleading, as the only filed plan which the Land Registry vouches for is tiny, and may differ from the conveyance plan].

"Registration is compulsory following the sale, assent or mortgage of land [true, so you cannot avoid it and should proceed with caution].

Annotations are based solely on my own experience of Portsmouth District Land Registry.

At the moment I am too weary of correspondence with and about Portsmouth DLR to say more, except to add that for maladministration by Portsmouth I have been paid £5000 by the Land Registry as "a contribution towards your legal costs".