Nowadays, land or property must be registered with the Land Registry for the first time if it is currently unregistered when you take ownership of it, or you mortgage it. But you don’t need to wait until the property is purchased or for you to secure a mortgage on it to register it. You can apply to the Land Registry for voluntary first registration.
What are voluntary first registrations?
When you apply for first registration, it means that the property deeds and details are kept on a record held by the Land Registry. Each property will be given its own unique number that is used to help identify the property. The Land Registry will also keep a separate register for the property which includes information about the property owners, details of any mortgages secured on the property and details of any rights or obligations that may affect the property.
After the property is registered for the first time, the Land Registry are able to update the register to keep it up to date for example if the property is sold, or a new mortgage secured on the property.
What are the benefits of voluntary first registrations?
There are many reasons why you should consider applying for voluntary first registration. Some of those reasons are:
- By registering the property, it can provide clarity as it can make it easier to ascertain details such as who is the owner, and the benefits and burdens the property may be subject to. Historic deeds can be quite different to read at times, and having them registered can assist with the interpretation.
- If you are looking to sell the property, the conveyancing process could be a lot quicker and easier if the Land Registry already holds a concise and up-to-date record of the property.
- The Land Registry already have a record of ownership and so if the deeds are lost, destroyed or stolen this will not affect your ability to deal with the property.
- It provides greater protection against fraud. The Land Registry require your identity to be verified before they process any application to change the register.
- Once registered if anyone does attempt to change the register, you can sign up to get property alerts so that you are aware of any attempted changes.
- The property will be identified by reference to a plan showing the general extent of the land.
How can we help?
At Nelsons, we have a team of specialist property lawyers who can interpret the deeds to prepare and make the application to the Land Registry to ensure that the property is registered properly. If you have any queries, please contact a member of our expert Residential Conveyancing team, in Derby, Leicester, or Nottingham to discuss your circumstances.
Please call 0800 024 1976 or contact us via our online form.
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