House price information goes online

A new online database launched by the Land Registry today provides easy access to details of more than 19 million properties.

10:31 31 January 2005

A new online database launched by the Land Registry today provides easy access to details of more than 19 million properties in England and Wales.

For a 2 fee, anyone can check out who owns a property, the property's boundaries and, for most registrations made since April 2000, how much the property cost.

According to the Land Registry, the website aims to speed up the home buying process and make it more transparent. It is also part of a wider government process to offer more services online.

Land Registry chief executive Peter Collis commented: "The Land Register is a public database and as part of Land Registry's strategy we are committed to ensuring that it is accessible to everyone.

"Land Register Online will improve the transparency of buying or selling property and land in England and Wales; it is an integral part of Land Registry's aim to make property transactions easier for all."

The full online service follows a successful pilot scheme in which a total of 560,000 searches were made by members of the public online.