Montgomeryshire Assembly Member, Russell George, has said that a Land Registry letter claiming mineral rights for a third party, is causing ‘concern’ and ‘distress’ for many residents across north Powys.
The letter from Land Registry Wales, which has been dropping on door mats in many areas of the county, gives notice to the property owner that Forsters, a London-based solicitors acting on behalf of the beneficiaries of the Williams-Wynn estate, have registered mineral rights interest in that piece of land.
Mr George said that many people have been contacting him since receiving the letters and have no idea what the letter is about and have become worried because the letter advises them to take legal advice.
Commenting, Mr George said:
“There has been a stead trickle of these letters being delivered to houses in areas across Montgomeryshire over the last two weeks.
“I have had many people contact me, concerned and distressed about the tone and content of the letter and they are worried that their rights to the property are somehow under threat.
“From what I understand, the issue behind the letters stem back to previous UK Government legislation that was passed in 2002 – the Land Registration Act.
“In that legislation it states that those persons who believe they are the beneficiaries of certain overriding land interests – including manorial rights – would automatically lose that entitlement if that interest was not formally registered by 12 October 2013.
“Once that interest has been lodged, the Land Registry must inform those property holders affected that a claim has been made and give them the opportunity to lodge an objection.
“However, that objection has to be submitted within 21 days of receiving their letter.
“I want to help as many people as I can with this issue.
“In the first instance, anyone who may have received this letter should not ignore it.
“I am encouraging people to contact my constituency office in Newtown on 01686 610887 or email me on [email protected].
“I will provide them with further background to why these letters have been sent and provide assistance on what to do next.”
