How to register your property in the UK

Land registration is now compulsory in the UK thus, if your property is currently unregistered, any change in ownership or mortgage will trigger a requirement for you (or any purchaser) to make an application to Land Registry to register the title. In this article, we will go to explain to you how to register your property or land in the UK. 

Currently, it is estimated approximately 14% of properties in England and Wales are unregistered, meaning the Land Registry have no record of who the legal owners are, rights over the property, covenants or, any charges or restrictions affecting the property.

When is voluntary first registration possible?

Title to the following can be voluntarily registered (subject to some exceptions):

• Unregistered freehold
• Lease — more than seven years to run
• Rent charges
• Discontinuous leases
• Franchises
• Land covered by internal waters adjacent to England or Wales

Why should I register my property?

Once your property title is registered, Online Land Registry will have a record of your address to enable them to contact you should anyone make any application which affects your property or land which, is arguably the biggest benefit of having the title registered.

How to register my property?

Once you have purchased the property from the seller you must complete and send some information about you and the land. We will then fill out some forms for you depending on the below:

a) form TR1 if you are transferring a whole registered title
b) form TP1 if you are transferring part of a registered title

If the land has already been registered with the Online Land Registry we will complete the TR1 form. If the land has not already been registered it will be FR1 and a DL. We will fill out these forms after obtaining the necessary information from you.  

You also need to include the following:

• Information so Online Land Registry can find the land on the Ordnance Survey map - for example, a plan of where the land is.
• The original deeds and documents of title.
• The original and a copy of the lease if you are applying to register a leasehold land or property.

It will be harder for you to register your land or property for the first time if any of the original deeds are missing. Contact Online Land Registry for advice if this is the case. 

When applying to register your land or property, you might also need to send:

• Form ID1 (proof of identity).
• Form DI if you are declaring ‘overriding interests’.
• A Land Transaction Return certificate (SDLT5) from HMRC to confirm that Stamp Duty has been paid or your transaction is exempt. The Certificate can be obtained by completing a Land Transaction Return (SDLT1) and paying the stamp duty payable.
• A cheque or postal order for the land registration fee.
• Costs of registering land or property.

You'll have to pay a fee to register any land or property. The amount depends on:

• how much your land or property is worth
• whether your registration is compulsory or voluntary

If you register your land or property voluntarily for the first time, you could receive a discount of 25 per cent on the registration fee. Contact Land Registry for the current fees. 

Are you looking for information about a property or land before buying it?

Whether you are a first-time buyer or a real estate business, Online Land Registry can help by providing you with all the information you need before making a decision. We will make sure that you make a hassle-free application.

Some of the services that we provide:

- Title Register

- Title Plan

- Map Search

- Deed Search

- Property Ownership documents.

- Property Alert Service 

For all other queries contact us at 03338801108