Voluntary First Registration is where you voluntarily register a residential property in England or Wales at HM Land Registry when the title is currently unregistered. A property may be unregistered for a number of reasons, including if it was bought before 1990 and has not been mortgaged since.
Registration brings a number of benefits, including proof of ownership and protection against property fraud. However, the process can take some time, so getting expert advice can help ensure everything goes smoothly. Our friendly and experienced conveyancers can guide you through every step of the way.
How we can help
- We will review your unregistered title deeds to ensure that they are complete and accurate.
- We will ensure that we have an accurate boundary plan.
- We will handle all the necessary paperwork and submit it to the Land Registry on your behalf.
- Once the property is registered, we check the title register and plan and provide you with copies for your records.
- If you decide to sell the property whilst the application for Voluntary First Registration is pending, we can apply to the Land Registry to expedite the application, which they may be willing to do. Once expedited, an application is completed, providing there are no queries raised on the application/title deeds.
CONTACT US
If you wish to discuss a case with us, please contact Tracey Longdon on 01420 81285 or fill in the form below.
The registration process
Once registered, the Land Registry will allocate a title number to the property. The registered title is held electronically by the Land Registry and the official entries set out full details of the property, the owner, if the property benefits from or is subject to any rights or is subject to any restrictions, covenants, leases, or mortgages.
The Land Registry also prepares a plan, known as the title plan, which identifies the extent of the property. Details of your property and ownership will be publicly available from HM Land Registry once registration is complete, and you cannot opt out of this.
The benefits of registration
- Proof of your ownership – Providing legal certainty and simplifying future transactions. If a property is unregistered there is a risk that the deeds could be lost or destroyed and, with that, your evidence of ownership.
- Protecting you against property fraud – The Land Registry’s records can help prevent fraudulent activities, such as attempting to sell the property without your consent as owner.
- Avoids adverse possession – Once a property is registered, it reduces the risk of someone trying to claim ownership of your property/land. Land that is registered is less likely to be vulnerable to claims and you would be notified by the Land Registry of any such claims.
- Reduced registration fees – The Land Registry makes a charge to register a property for the first time and on any change of ownership. The cost will depend on the property’s value. The Land Registry offers a 25% discount on the registration fee if it is a Voluntary First Registration.
Contact us
If you have any questions about registration and how we can help, please contact us at [email protected] or 01420 82879.
