Title
In terms of property law, 'title' refers to the legal right to ownership of property. In very broad terms, an 'owner' is a person or organisation who has the rightful title to something such as property, i.e. the property belongs to them. Title can refer to a partial interest in a property or the full interest, and this can be transferred from one person or organisation to another.
The term title can also refer to a formal document, such as a deed, that provides tangible evidence of ownership. Conveyance of this document is usually required in order to transfer ownership of property between parties. The ways in which a title is obtained are through purchase, descent or grant.
Privity of title, also referred to as privity of estate, is the legal relationship between two or more parties who share an interest in the same property. That is, when the parties’ estates constitute one estate in law. A common example of privity of title is the relationship between landlord and tenant.
In common law, the right to obtain full property ownership, where another party maintains legal title, is known as ‘equitable title’. Upon the contract execution for the sale of property or land, the equitable title passes to the purchaser. When the sale contract conditions have been met, legal title passes to the purchaser. Legal title is the actual ownership of property.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
Featured articles and news
Deputy editor of AT, Tim Fraser, discusses the newly formed society with its current chair, Chris Halligan MCIAT.
Barratt Lo-E passivhaus standard homes planned enmasse
With an initial 728 Lo-E homes across two sites and many more planned for the future.
Government urged to uphold Warm Homes commitment
ECA and industry bodies write to Government concerning its 13.2 billion Warm Homes manifesto commitment.
Places of Worship in Britain and Ireland, 1929-1990. Book review.
The emancipation of women in art.
CIOB Construction Manager of the Year 2025
Just one of the winners at the CIOB Awards 2025.
Call for independent National Grenfell oversight mechanism
MHCLG share findings of Building Safety Inquiry in letter to Secretary of State and Minister for Building Safety.
The Architectural Technology Awards
AT Awards now open for this the sixth decade of CIAT.
50th Golden anniversary ECA Edmundson awards
Deadline for submissions Friday 30 May 2025.
The benefits of precast, off-site foundation systems
Top ten benefits of this notable innovation.
Encouraging individuals to take action saving water at home, work, and in their communities.
Takes a community to support mental health and wellbeing
The why of becoming a Mental Health Instructor explained.
Mental health awareness week 13-18 May
The theme is communities, they can provide a sense of belonging, safety, support in hard times, and a sense purpose.
Mental health support on the rise but workers still struggling
CIOB Understanding Mental Health in the Built Environment 2025 shows.
Design and construction material libraries
Material, sample, product or detail libraries a key component of any architectural design practice.
Construction Products Reform Green Paper and Consultation
Still time to respond as consultation closes on 21 May 2025.
Resilient façade systems for smog reduction in Shanghai
A technical approach using computer simulation and analysis of solar radiation, wind patterns, and ventilation.