Title deed
A document that records the transfer of ownership of a property.
Glossary
Property title terms, in plain language.
Short definitions of the terms that appear in a title check.
Terms
What the terms mean.
General definitions. Meanings can vary by state and by document.
Chain of title
The sequence of transfers that links the present owner back to earlier owners.
Encumbrance
A claim, loan or charge that sits on a property and may limit its sale.
Encumbrance certificate
An official record of registered transactions and charges on a property for a period.
Lien
A legal right to hold a property as security until a debt is paid.
Charge
A claim registered against a property to secure the payment of a debt.
Mortgage
A loan secured against a property, which the lender can enforce if the loan is not repaid.
Mutation
The update of a land record to show the name of the new owner.
Survey number
The number a government record gives to a parcel of land to identify it.
Record of rights
A government land record that lists who holds rights in a parcel of land.
Lis pendens
A pending lawsuit that concerns a property and may affect a transfer.
Title search report
A report that sets out what the records show about the ownership of a property.
Legal opinion
An advocate’s written view on the title of a property, based on the documents reviewed.
Due diligence
The checks a buyer or lender makes on a property before committing to a transaction.
These definitions are general information, not legal advice. Read how ratings work on the methodology page.
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