What is the Land Registry entry and why do I need it?

The nota simple is the informational document from the Land Registry showing who owns a property, its description and the charges affecting it (mortgages, attachments, easements). We request it before moving forward with any purchase, to check that the seller is entitled to sell and that the property holds no surprises.

What information it contains

Property description: physical location, square meters, boundaries, and cadastral reference.
Ownership details: who owns the property, ownership shares, and the legal title under which it was acquired.
Charges and encumbrances: active mortgages, court seizures, easements, tax attachments, or resolutory clauses.
Legal annotations or restrictions that could impede or restrict a valid sale.

Why it is indispensable

Buying property without analyzing an updated nota simple means taking unacceptable risks: you could acquire real estate with an unpaid mortgage, pending foreclosures, or boundary discrepancies. Reviewing the extract identifies these issues early and allows them to be cleared before signing deeds.

When to request it

It should be requested twice: first before signing an earnest money deposit (arras) to establish the verified baseline, and again shortly before the final notary signing. The notary also requests updated registry data on the day of the deed signing.

Nota simple vs. Registry Certification

A nota simple is an informative extract. When full evidentiary legal proof is required — such as for court proceedings or certain administrative authorizations — a formal signed Registry Certification is issued by the Land Registrar. We determine which is required and obtain it directly for you.

This content is general and informational in nature; regulations and deadlines may change. For your specific situation, please contact us.