The Land and Conveyancing Law Reform Act 2009 may come to your rescue if there is a problem with the title to a property.
Recitals
Section 59(1) provides
59.— (1) Recitals, statements and descriptions of facts, matters and parties contained in instruments, statutory provisions or statutory declarations 15 years old at the date of the contract are, unless and except so far as they are proved to be inaccurate, sufficient evidence of the truth of such facts, matters and parties.
Rent of leasehold
(2) Where land sold is held under a tenancy (other than a subtenancy), the purchaser shall assume, unless the contrary appears, that the tenancy was duly granted; and, on production of the receipt for the last payment due for rent under the tenancy before the date of the actual completion of the purchase, the purchaser shall assume, unless the contrary appears, that all the covenants and provisions of the tenancy have been duly performed and observed up to the date of actual completion of the purchase.
All estates
Section 76 states
76.— (1) Subject to subsection (2), a conveyance of land passes all the claim, demand, estate, interest, right and title which the grantor has or has power to convey in, to or on the land conveyed or expressed or intended to be conveyed.
(2) This section takes effect subject to the terms of the conveyance.
Receipt clause
Section 77 (1) states
77.— (1) A receipt for consideration in the body of a deed is sufficient discharge for the consideration to the person giving it, without any further receipt being endorsed on the deed.
Implied covenants
Section 80 Land and Conveyancing Law Reform Act 2009 sets out the implied covenants in a conveyance for value. These implied covenants would include
- The vendor has full right to convey the property
- The vendor warrants a covenant for quiet enjoyment
- The vendor warrants the property is free from encumbrances
- The vendor will execute further assurances to vest the interest contracted, if necessary.
Statutory acknowledgment and undertaking
Section 84 binds the person in possession of documents to produce them for inspection or in court to establish title and to furnish copies on request.