Unregistered Property Conveyancers

Unregistered properties, which don’t currently have an electronic title register with the Land Registry or a title number, can be complex to purchase due to the added legalities and admin required. But with a trusted conveyancer like Chapter Law, we handle that for you.

What is an unregistered property?

Most properties in England are “registered”, which means there is a record of ownership, title deeds and any restrictions that are available through HM Land Registry. However, some properties are still “unregistered”, meaning this record does not currently exist. This does not mean the property is not available for purchase. Older properties that have been owned by the same family for generations, inherited or were never sold or owned in a way that would have registered the property tend to fall under the category of “unregistered”. When you buy the property, it will be up to you to ensure the property is formally registered for the first time, and to do that, you’ll need an expert like Chapter Law to help.

What do Conveyancers do for unregistered properties?

Unregistered properties tend to have proof of ownership and title deeds in paper form. Your conveyancer can help locate and process this paperwork to formally register it. We’ll interpret the restrictions, covenants, access and clauses of the deeds to understand the exact detail of the property’s registration, and advise further on what this means for you. For sellers, we are responsible for “deducing title” to prove your ownership of the property, for buyers, we apply for first registration to ensure your purchase is compliant with the current regulations.

It can all be a complicated process, so choosing the right conveyancer is vital to ensure your best interests are protected, and that your property is properly registered.

How long does registering a property take?

Whether you’re buying or selling an unregistered property, you should prepare for a lengthy process. The time it takes to locate original documents and register the property can depend on how available the paperwork is, how clear the terms of the deeds are and what further evidence may be required to properly prove ownership.

Throughout all this, the team at Chapter Law ensure regular and open communication so that you always know what has been achieved so far. We’re here to speed things up, snow slow it down.

Do I have to register my property?