Is Your Property Registered with Land Registry? What UK Property Owners Need to Know

If you own property in England or Wales, you’ve likely heard of the Land Registry – but do you know if your property is registered with them? This seemingly simple question can have significant implications for property owners, buyers, and sellers alike.

The process of buying and selling homes is called conveyancing, and during this process, a lot of checks and balances are performed to ensure everything is above board – including checking property registration. If, for whatever reason, your property is not registered with Land Registry, don’t fear – we’re here to help with first registration. 

What is Land Registry?

HM Land Registry is the government department responsible for maintaining the official record of land and property ownership in England and Wales. Established in 1862, it provides a comprehensive database that offers security and certainty to property transactions.

Legal Implications and Risks

For Sellers: Unregistered properties may require additional legal work, potentially delaying sales and increasing costs.

For Buyers: Always ensure proper due diligence is conducted, regardless of registration status.

For Mortgage Applications: Lenders typically require registration as part of the mortgage process, making unregistered properties difficult to finance.

The Key Benefits of Registration

Clarity. Land Registry entries are usually clearer and more comprehensive than title deeds and therefore make properties slightly easier and quicker to sell. The standardised format provides certainty that traditional deeds sometimes lack.

Safety and Security. Deeds can sometimes be destroyed or go missing. When your property is registered with Land Registry, you have permanent, secure records that can’t be lost or destroyed.

Protection Against Fraud. Unregistered titles can be more vulnerable to fraud or adverse possession. HMLR requires confirmation of identity before registering the transfer of property, providing an additional layer of security. They also operate a free ‘Property Alert’ service, which notifies you of any applications affecting your property.

Mortgageability. Few mortgage companies will touch unregistered land, making it difficult to secure financing or remortgage your property.

Boundary Clarity. Sometimes in rural areas, properties with irregular boundaries can find themselves accidentally owning a bit of next door. This can happen if the plans are old or poor quality and are misread by HMLR. Registration helps ensure your property isn’t a gap on the index map that can be accidentally “eaten into” by neighbouring properties.

Common Scenarios

Inherited Property: If you jointly own an unregistered property and a joint owner dies, you’re not automatically required to register it unless you decide to sell, mortgage, or transfer it.

Long-term Ownership: Properties owned by the same family for generations may remain unregistered, particularly in rural areas.

Leasehold Properties: Any leasehold property with a term of 7 years of more is registered, but it’s worth checking both the leasehold and and any underlying freehold titles.

The Registration Process

When we handle your first registration:

1. Initial Assessment – We review your documentation and property details.
2. Application Preparation – We complete Form FR1 with all supporting documents.
3. Fee Calculation – Registration fees vary by property value, which we’ll explain clearly.
4. Submission – We submit your application to Land Registry.
5. Processing Support – We liaise with Land Registry throughout the review process.
6. Completion – You receive your unique title number and official copies.