A Cyberattack leaving 70 Connecticut towns locked out of their online land records for 3 weeks last year brought much attention to the occupation of a title searcher.  A professional title searcher never needs technology to complete a search on your new home.

I am a homeowner in Connecticut, with 30 years of experience as a small-business owner running a title search company, and I currently serve as the President of the CT Land Title Association.

On behalf of the Connecticut Land Title Association and numerous homeowners and property owners in our state, we express deep concern regarding the current state of the Title Industry in Connecticut, particularly in relation to home purchasing and refinancing. A critical issue lies in the lack of regulation for Title Searchers, also known as Abstractors or Title Examiners, in our state.

A Title Searcher plays a crucial role, akin to that of a real estate detective, in every home purchase or refinance. They meticulously research public and private records, scrutinize titles, summarize legal documents, and compile vital information regarding mortgages, liens, contracts, and other legal instruments relevant to a property. These records determine the legal status of a property.

Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers are an occupation described in detail on the CT Department of Labor Website. 

Despite the significance of their work, Title Searchers in Connecticut operate without education requirements, certification or licensing requirements with no regulation or oversight. This lack of regulation leads to concerning practices such as outsourcing title searches offshore or to out-of-state individuals, without any mandatory standards or qualifications. Consequently, homeowners are left vulnerable to potential errors and fraud, as these crucial tasks are entrusted to individuals without professional accountability.

Especially unique to Connecticut is our 169 separate municipalities, this does not include the five Indian land reservations that are recognized by the law.  Unlike other states Connecticut's physical land records are kept separately in grantee/grantor books in a fireproof vault and managed by each individual Town Clerk's Office of all 169 Towns. Especially noted is the fact that all of the records needed to complete a property title search is not available online. 

Moreover, technological advancements have introduced further complexities. While many towns have made land records available online, these 3rd party platforms are costly to taxpayers and often lack comprehensive information, leaving gaps in the title search process. As stated above, critical details such as separate sewer/water lien books, A-2 Survey maps, open building permits, UCC-1 Financial Statements and other encumbrances may not be accessible online, necessitating manual searches at various municipal and state offices.  

The consequences of unregulated title searches can be severe. Homeowners may face costly disputes or even fraudulent property sales. Recent cyber-attacks on online land records have further highlighted the risks associated with relying solely on digital resources for property investigations.

Title is complicated.  Homeowners and property owners hire an attorney as the first line of defense for a property closing, a title searcher is the last line of defense adding another much-needed security layer to the entire closing process.  

Every profession within the real estate industry with the exception of a title searcher/abstractor is regulated and licensed for the safety of the homeowner. An attorney, realtor, leasing agent, property manager, appraiser, home inspector, loan officer, notary public, surveyor, builder, home improvement contractor, electrician, plumber, roofer, window installer, and even a pool installer, are all regulated and licensed.

It is imperative that we take action to safeguard homeowners' rights and protect against potential fraud and errors. We call upon lawmakers in Connecticut to enact legislation that regulates title searching, ensuring that professionals in this field are licensed and held to established standards. Such measures will not only enhance accuracy but also provide peace of mind for homeowners during real estate transactions.

We urge all concerned citizens to support this cause by signing our petition for the creation of a Public Safety Act for Homeowners' property rights in Connecticut. Together, let us work towards a safer and more secure real estate environment for all.