So what is a Parcel Register* anyways? To some the words Parcel Register* don’t mean much at all. This is thanks to a very common misconception that a Parcel Register* is the same as a property title search. A property title search is the entire process that a real estate lawyer performs in order to validate that title is clear. The Parcel Register* is a part of this process.
The Parcel Register* contains valuable information and is the most current source of land titles data available in Ontario:
- Property’s legal description
- Property identification number (PIN number)
- Who the legal homeowner is
- The type and % of ownership
A history of registrations on the property – mortgages, transfers, liens, easements and more
- Registration number
- Registrant’s name/company name
- Amount of registration
This information can be invaluable for a real estate sale professional – especially if further digging is in order on a deal. If you are concerned there may be other people on title to a property or that there could be a lien, a Parcel Register* may be in order. You may even have a client who discloses a lien and when that happens you surely want to validate it as well as the amount.
Sometimes the Parcel Register* will come up clear and other times reveal surprises. So, what happens when your Parcel Register* turns up a lien for example, one that you and your client were unaware of? The next step would be to gather more details.
The Parcel Register* will give you the name and registered amount of the lien, and if your client doesn’t have the contact information, you can use the registration number in the Parcel Register* to view the Instrument Image of the lien (an Instrument Image is a PDF of the actual electronic document used to register the lien).
This Instrument Image will include all contact information for any registrant of any item associated to a registration number on a Parcel item – whether a lien, charge, transfer or easement. This will empower you and your client to get to the bottom of whatever the challenge is as it relates to the property title.
A Parcel Register* really is in order on any deal if you want to 100% vet every single client. With that said, some real estate professionals use them at different stages in the listing/buying process. In this instance, a Parcel Register is in order when something feels off on a deal.
Want to know more about how a Parcel Register* can help you dig deeper, or want to order one? Parcel Registers, as well as Instrument Images and many other documents, are available online through the GeoWarehouse Store!
Visit www.geowarehouse.ca today.
*An official product of the Ontario government pursuant to provincial land registration statutes.
