If a person gains “possessory title” to some land, can they at a later date sell all or part of it? Does “possessory title” make the person concerned its legal owner?
Before granting possessory title the Land Registry investigates the matter so far as it can but it usually has to rely on evidence supplied by the applicant. If, within a period of 12 years after possessory title is granted, the true owner turns up and proves that the evidence provided by the applicant is untrue, the Land Registry will revoke the possessory title. Cases where this happens are very rare but there is a risk. If you want to sell your land with possessory title the answer is to provide an insurance policy to cover the risk. Such policies are available at little cost.