Can I view an "option to purchase" agreement for land?

[PaulaS]

On the title register from the Land Registry, in section C: Charges Register, one of the entries is an option to purchase agreement registered by an individual. It states "NOTE 1: copy filed". Is there any way I can find and view this agreement?

 

[Gyumri]

It would be best to call the registry concerned and see if you are entitled to obtain a copy of the notice.

I would think that it must be private and not accessible to the public - so let us know here when you find out.

Option Agreements – Purchasing land

Imagine a developer identifies a plot of land he or she believes has significant future development potential, but obtaining planning may not be guaranteed.

www.herrington-carmichael.com

Practice guide 19: notices, restrictions and the protection of third-party interests in the register

www.gov.uk

 

[Michael Loveridge]

On the title register from the Land Registry, in section C: Charges Register, one of the entries is an option to purchase agreement registered by an individual. It states "NOTE 1: copy filed". Is there any way I can find and view this agreement?

Yes. If a copy has been filed then you can obtain a copy.

I have an account with the LR, so the process may be slightly different for lay customers. However, when I select the `Request official copies'' option I'm then presented with a choice of

• Order official copy of register and/or title plan
  
• Order official copy of register, title plan and/or documents

If you select the second option this will open a list of available documents (which should include the option agreement). Just select the one you want and you'll be able to download a copy.

 

[PaulaS]

Yes. If a copy has been filed then you can obtain a copy.

I have an account with the LR, so the process may be slightly different for lay customers. However, when I select the `Request official copies'' option I'm then presented with a choice of

• Order official copy of register and/or title plan
• Order official copy of register, title plan and/or documents

If you select the second option this will open a list of available documents (which should include the option agreement). Just select the one you want and you'll be able to download a copy.

Thanks but the only documents that seem to be available are the title register and the title plan. I've contacted the Land Registry to see if they can provide a copy per @Gyumri 's suggestion.

 

[Michael Loveridge]

What's the title number? I'll see if I can obtain a copy for you.

 

[Matteo A]

Hi, I have got exactly the same problem trying to purchase a property and I struggle to find the answer and to see the actual agreement. I have tried to contact the LR as well.
My question is, can a property been sold to a third party (to me) while under an option agreement with somebody else?
My understanding is that an option agreement is a temporary contract (that can be extended) but the purpose is exactly to avoid the landlord to sell to anybody else for the entire length of the contract , so my assumption is that, if the property now is out for sale, the agreement should have expired?
Of course assumptions in this matters are not good, I would be grateful if somebody could shed a bit of light on this matter. Thank you

 

[Michael Loveridge]

My question is, can a property been sold to a third party (to me) while under an option agreement with somebody else?

In theory yes, it can. There's nothing to stop the owner of land subject to an option selling it to a third party, but it's extremely unlikely to happen. An option would (or should) always be registered at the Land Registry, so any prospective buyer would be aware of it and would ensure that the option agreement was no longer in force.

If the buyer was stupid enough just to ignore the agreement then they would potentially face having the sale overturned by the courts.

 

[eteb3]

The option may be personal or may run with the land afaik: it depends on the intentions of the parties, as inferred from the text of the document