About the Land Title Register
What is a land register and why is it important?
A land register is a set of land title records that can be searched to determine ownership. It also determines limits and restrictions on ownership, charges and other interests that may apply to a parcel of land.
A reliable land title system, supported by a rigorous survey structure, forms an essential foundation for economic and social prosperity. Certainty and security in land ownership creates trust in an economy to:
- Serve as a foundation for investments in land.
- Enable development of a lending and credit market for transactions such as mortgages.
- Support assessment and taxation of real property to fund necessary infrastructure and improvements.
About BC’s land register
LTSA’s land title register is where ownership of, and interests in, private land in BC are registered. The Land Title Act establishes a system of land title registration based on Torrens concepts of title by registration & indefeasibility of title. The existing system provides:
- A secure and reliable land title record
- A land title record that is indefeasible. Indefeasible means that land ownership cannot be voided, defeated or canceled by any past event, error or omission. By comparison, a deeds-based system cannot offer indefeasibility.
BC’s land title system also has these features:
- BC’s land title system is backed by an assurance fund in case of administrative or system errors.
- Land titles and plans are electronically searchable.
- Parcel information is searchable in ParcelMap BC, the current, complete, and trusted visual representation of titled and Crown land parcels in BC.
- Filing an application to transfer title to land or register an interest can be done from anywhere with internet access and by any BC lawyer or notary.
- A title search reflects all legal interests in land and no further historical investigation is necessary. The following is an example of a Treaty First Nation title registered under the provisions of Schedule 1 Land Title Act:
