The Land Office was very lucky during the war, for its records survived the Japanese Occupation almost intact. The Japanese Military Government set up the "House Registration Office" to re-register deeds which were previously registered by the British administration and to register subsequent transactions affecting land. Property owners had to make applications and produce evidence to prove their ownership in order to obtain the Japanese Government's recognition. Property details of successful applications would be made into the "General House Registration Book" with application form and other relevant documents enclosed in envelopes, one for each application for registration. After re-occupation, under the provisions of the Land Transactions (Enemy Occupation) Ordinance (Cap. 256), all transactions so registered were carried into the Land Office Register by means of special entries made in green ink. Owners are required to execute Confirmatory Assignments to regulate their titles.
