Add a name to title deeds

doctor-dee

Hi

I'm wanting to add a name to the title deeds on a property my wife and I have. At present the mortgage and title deeds are in her name only. We're about to switch mortgages and will probably add my name to the mortgage, therefore I also want to be on the deeds.

It's a property we don't live in, and is valued below £125k for stamp duty purposes. There will be no payment between us for the transfer of any equity ownership.

Is it as simple as filling in the relevant Land Registry forms and paying the fees? I'm led to believe they are between £40-£70? (not going to be involving a solicitor). Can anyone confirm this and point me in the right direction please?

Thanks,
Dr.

kingstreet

Nope. You can only do it direct with the land registry if there's no mortgage.

If you are remortgaging into joint names, the solicitor handling the mortgage will also handle the transfer of equity. Typically, the additional cost is around £200 if they are already handling the conveyancing.

doctor-dee

I don't want to use a solicitor at all. Even for full conveyancing it's not mandatory. Whatever forms they can fill in, I can fill in also, I'm not paying them to do that.

kingstreet

The lender will insist on a solicitor being employed to carry out its legal work and this will be at your expense. At least if you find your own, you have control over the costs. The lender will appoint a solicitor from its panel otherwise and you'll pay regardless.

doctor-dee

Well if that's the case I'll leave it in the wife's name and just change the deeds when the mortgage is repaid.

Thanks