About Caveats
Caveat is from the Latin word meaning “let him beware.” A caveat is a registerable document that serves as a notice or caution that a person or persons, other than the landowner, have an interest in a parcel of land.
The Town of Peace River often uses caveats to notify the landowner of a specific Town interest in the land.
Determining if There is a Caveat on Title
A caveat will be registered as an instrument on a land title certificate through Alberta Land Titles. The land title certificate will generally show the caveat registration number, the date of registration, the description of the caveat and the name of the caveator or party that is claiming an interest in the land.
Getting a Copy of the Caveat
A copy of the land title certificate and corresponding caveat can be obtained through any Alberta Registry. You must know the legal description, Land Identification Number Code (LINC number) or the title number for the property you want to search. If you only have a municipal address, they can look up the legal description, but may charge a modest fee for doing so.
You will need the caveat registration number found on the title in order to obtain a copy of the corresponding caveat.
Reasons for the Town to Register a Caveat
The Town can register a caveat for a variety of reasons. The most common are:
- Conditions or obligations of a Servicing Agreement, Sales Agreement or other agreement pertaining to the property
- Provision of municipal reserves has been deferred
- Requirement to service land or pay assessments has been deferred, or
- Land use restrictions
Getting the Caveat Discharged
To discharge a caveat, the landowner or designate must apply to the caveator for discharge. If you would like to request a caveat to be discharged from the Town of Peace River, please submit the completed Caveat Discharge Request Form, along with all supporting documentation, to the Town Office, Attn: Planning and Development, or by email to development@peaceriver.ca.
The Town will review the request and provide a response in writing to the landowner or applicant. If the Town agrees that the caveat can be discharged, the Withdrawal and Discharge of Caveat documents will be prepared by the Town and sent to the applicant for registration at the Alberta Land Titles office.
The Town of Peace River does not charge a fee for the preparation of these documents, but there is a nominal fee to register the documents at Alberta Land Titles.