Encumbrances
Encumbrances (sometimes spelled incumbrances) are interests that affect land. This might include an easement (such as a right of way), a lien (a right to retain possession of a property belonging to someone else until a debt is discharged) a mortgage, a wayleave and so on.
Encumbrances are registered against the land itself, not the owner or occupier of the land. Details of encumbrances may appear on the Land Register which can be inspected for payment of a fee.
As encumbrances may affect the value or marketability of land, it is common practice to commission an official search of the Land Register before purchasing land or property. However, the Land Register is not conclusive on all matters, (for example it may not include details of local land charges or the rights of occupiers) and so it can be wise to inspect the land itself and to question occupants.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- Access to Neighbouring Land Act 1992.
- Burdens.
- Chancel repair liability.
- Conservation area.
- Deed of easement.
- Easement.
- Land register.
- Liens.
- Listed building.
- Restrictive covenants.
- Right to light.
- Right of support.
- Rights of way.
- Tree rights.
- Tree preservation order.
- Wayleave.
[edit] External references
Featured articles and news
Costs and insolvencies mount for SMEs, despite growth
Construction sector under insolvency and wage bill pressure in part linked to National Insurance, says report.
The place for vitrified clay pipes in modern infrastructure
Why vitrified clay pipes are reclaiming their role in built projects.
Research by construction PR consultancy LMC published.
Roles and responsibilities of domestic clients
ACA Safety in Construction guide for domestic clients.
Fire door compliance in UK commercial buildings
Architect and manufacturer gives their low down.
Plumbing and heating for sustainability in new properties
Technical Engineer runs through changes in regulations, innovations in materials, and product systems.
Awareness of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism
What CBAM is and what to do about it.
The new towns and strategic environmental assessments
12 locations of the New Towns Taskforce reduced to 7 within the new towns draft programme and open consultation.
Buildings that changed the future of architecture. Book review.
The Sustainability Pathfinder© Handbook
Built environment agency launches free Pathfinder© tool to help businesses progress sustainability strategies.
Government outcome to the late payment consultation, ECA reacts.
IHBC 2025 Gus Astley Student Award winners
Work on the role of hewing in UK historic conservation a win for Jack Parker of Oxford Brookes University.
Future Homes Building Standards and plug-in solar
Parts F and L amendments, the availability of solar panels and industry responses.
How later living housing can help solve the housing crisis
Unlocking homes, unlocking lives.
Preparing safety case reports for HRBs under the BSA
A new practical guide to preparing structural inputs for safety cases and safety case reports published by IStructE.
Male construction workers and prostate cancer
CIOB and Prostate Cancer UK encourage awareness of prostate cancer risks, and what to do about it.






















Comments
To start a discussion about this article, click 'Add a comment' above and add your thoughts to this discussion page.