In relation to registered land, possessory title means that:

In relation to registered land, possessory title means that:

• A. it is not possible to guarantee freehold title, but good leasehold title can be confirmed.
• B. the land is freehold and title has been granted to the person in possession.
• C. the owner or applicant could not produce the title deeds when the land was first registered.
• D. the title, as registered, is in some way defective but good title is guaranteed.

Answer: (C)

Possessory title arises when land is registered but the person applying for registration cannot prove their ownership with title deeds or a complete chain of title at the time of first registration. Because the registrant’s ownership is based on possession rather than documented evidence, the register records the estate as possessory. This means the title is less secure and can be challenged or upgraded later if the owner can produce the necessary deeds or evidence to establish a full, proven title. In short, the key idea is that the owner could not produce the title deeds when the land was first registered, which is exactly what creates a possessory title.

Possessory title arises when land is registered but the person applying for registration cannot prove their ownership with title deeds or a complete chain of title at the time of first registration. Because the registrant’s ownership is based on possession rather than documented evidence, the register records the estate as possessory. This means the title is less secure and can be challenged or upgraded later if the owner can produce the necessary deeds or evidence to establish a full, proven title. In short, the key idea is that the owner could not produce the title deeds when the land was first registered, which is exactly what creates a possessory title.