title-expert

Overview

A title search is a systematic review of registered property interests that establishes:

• Chain of ownership: Who owns the property and for how long.
• Encumbrances: What restrictions and interests burden the property.
• Priority order: Which interests rank first, second, etc. (determines payment order on default).
• Defects: Registration errors, missing signatures, or procedural deficiencies.
• Marketability: Whether the property can be freely bought/sold or faces restrictions.

This skill focuses on the Ontario Land Titles System (LTS) — state-guaranteed title searched via Land Titles Act registers — which is the most common system for commercial acquisitions in Ontario. Quebec uses a civil-law registry with different methodology; other provinces use a mix of LTS, Torrens, and traditional registry.

Key Documents to Review

From the title search itself: