What is a Title?

Property titles are important as they represent an owner’s legal rights to the property.

When purchasing a home, a buyer should ensure that the person they’re buying it from is the actual title holder. This means there is no other party that can either stop the purchase or make a claim on the property once the new owner has moved in. 

A buyer’s conveyance lawyer will conduct a title search and most buyer’s also choose, or are required, to purchase title insurance. Title insurance will protect the buyer in the event that someone later sues and says they have a claim to the property.

A property’s title gives the owner certain rights including:

• The right of possession — the owner is the legal owner of the property
• The right of control — the owner can use the property as they choose
• The right of exclusion — the owner has the right to prohibit others from using or entering the property
• The right of enjoyment — the owner has the right to enjoy the property in any way, within reason.
• The right of disposition — the owner has the right to sell or rent the property so long as there are no liens or holds on the property