Why are photocopies of the Title Information Document and title plan not sufficient as evidence of registered title to 19 Hamilton Road?

• A. Official copies provide up-to-date evidence of title with guaranteed accuracy and are required under SCS 4.1.2 and LSCP; official copies no more than six months old.
• B. Photocopies are acceptable if certified by the seller.
• C. Digital copies are sufficient if authenticated.
• D. Photocopies are enough if the purchaser is paying cash.

Answer: (A)

Proving registered title relies on a current, guaranteed record of what the Land Registry holds. Official copies are produced by the Land Registry and carry its guarantee that the information is accurate, up-to-date, and reflects any charges, rights, or restrictions affecting the title. They are also required to be no more than six months old to ensure the title shown matches the title as it stands at or near the time of exchange.

Photocopies do not provide that level of certainty. They may be outdated, tampered with, or missing entries, so they cannot be relied upon as definitive evidence of who owns the property or what encumbrances exist. While the Title Information Document and title plan can help, they are not the formal, binding proof of title in the way official copies are. This is why official copies are required under the relevant conveyancing standards.