16/07/2025
Land as security or collateral:
~ A charge is an interest over property i.e. land to secure a loan or other financial obligation
~ The charge gives the lender the right to sell the property if the borrower defaults on the financial obligation
~ The charge operates only as security and does not pass interest to the bank. Once the loan is repaid, the charge is discharged
Types of Charges;
~ Legal Charge; A legal charge is created by a written instrument (a charge document) and registered against the title of the land
~ First charge, Second charge, Further charge; same concept but these ones follow an order of priority such that it determines the first to recover debts or loans
Key considerations;
- Registration; A charge must be registered to be valid and enforceable
- Tacking and consolidation; a charge document may allow the bank to give further loans to the borrower on a current or continuing account
- Order of priority; priority depends on the order of registration. The Charge that was registered first has priority over subsequent interests registered against the same title. For further loans under the same charge, the further loans have priority if it's noted on the register in which the charge is registered. Also, if the subsequent charge has consented in writing to the priority of the further advances/loans
- Discharge of charges; the borrower can redeem the charge by paying off the loan
- Spousal consent; The Matrimonial Property Act requires spousal consent before an interest in matrimonial property is alienated
What happens when the borrower defaults?
The Land Act provides remedies to the bank or other lending institutions as follows;
~ Sue the borrower for any money owing under the charge
~ Appoint a receiver of the income of the charged land
~ Lease or sublease the charged land
~ Enter into possession of the charged land
~ Sell the charged land
Stay informed.