How to Identify Registered Easements on Title

Plain-English Answer

To find easements on property, you generally need two documents read together: the title search and the deposited or registered plan for the land parcel. The title search acts as an index, noting any encumbrances, while the plan — where the easement is shown on it — may provide the surveyed location, dimensions and extent of the easement area. The plan needs to be read together with the title and the underlying instrument, since it may not answer every question about the easement's rights, maintenance obligations or current physical condition.

What the Document Can Show

• Registered Reference Numbers — dealing codes that link directly to legal easement instruments.

• Spatial Boundaries — where shown, the surveyed location and measurements of the easement area on the registered plan.

• Encumbrance Schedule — a listed summary of registered rights burdening or benefiting the land (see what is an encumbrance).

What It May Not Establish

• Current Ground Conditions — plans show paper boundaries, not necessarily whether physical structures currently encroach on the area.

• Unrecorded Utilities — private underground pipes not covered by a formal statutory easement generally won't be shown.

• Enforceability Disputes — a title search records registration, but doesn't resolve ongoing usage disputes between neighbours.

Practical Next Steps

• Order a current title search to check whether easements are listed in the schedule of encumbrances.

• Retrieve the underlying registered plan to view the graphical location, where shown.

• Order the instrument document tied to the dealing number for the exact conditions.

When to Seek Professional Advice

Engage a licensed cadastral surveyor to physically locate an easement's boundary on-site. If there's ambiguity about rights of entry or development limits, a property lawyer can advise on your legal position — a surveyor confirms the physical location, not the legal interpretation.

Related: What is an easement and how can it affect a property? · When a title refers to another document

This article provides general information only and is not legal, conveyancing, surveying or financial advice. Property title terminology and procedures can differ between Australian states and territories. Check the relevant land registry records for your property and obtain professional advice for your specific situation.