Qualified title

[Jon65]

Could a conveyancing solicitor give me a quick run down please? Properties are being sold with qualified title. Land bought by developer in 2014 but there may be a leaseholder of the land but nobody knows who and nothing held at land registry. Is it possible to acquire absolute title after 12 years, I can't find a definitive answer and if so, 12 years from when? Many thanks.

If you are one of the parties to the transaction why not ask your own solicitor?

Thanks @Collaborate but I'm not!

It might be best to avoid it if you can or take out an insurance policy against the leaseholder turning up.

I don't know about the 12 years as I don't do property law. I would certainly take out insurance at the very least, if not run a mile from it.

It depends exactly what type of qualified title it is.

You can upgrade possessory after 12 years but otherwise you have to send proof that the reason for the title being qualified no longer exists. So potentially never in your case.

Have a read of Land Registry practice guide 42, section 3.2.