Mortgage paid off but where are the deeds?

System

Some banks may have destroyed the "deeds" already when the solicitor confirmed to them that the charge was registered so don't be too disappointed if they don't have them

Goldiegirl

Re 'destroying the deeds'.

The lender I worked for gave people the choice. If you wanted the deeds returned to you when you repaid the mortgage, you could pay the 'Sealing Fee' (at the time I think it was about £40). Or if you didn't want the deeds or didn't want to pay £40, then the charge would be removed at the Land Registry and deeds were destroyed.

Even though I know it's all held electronically these days, I hate the thought of historical documents being destroyed.

When I repaid my mortgage, I opted to have my deeds sent to me. Even though I live in a modern house, I still thought the deeds would be worth having for my own personal records and interest.

Gees

We paid off our mortgage a year ago now and our deeds arrived with us a few weeks later.

Just a few months ago I was reading an article regarding the risks of fraud on properties, and this prompted me to pay the £3 to register and check our property. I was quite shocked to discover that there was still a charge showing. I immediately rang the mortgage company and complained, and the charge was removed within 24 hours.

shirlls

Thanks for all the replies.

I've heard of people fraudulently having their properties sold out from under them because somehow someone altered the deeds/Land Registry title. I don't know how this is done but I'm such a pessimist that I believe if it's going to happen to someone, it'll be me!!

Don't I need something tangible that proves I'm the owner?
Can anyone contact Land Registry and say they own the property?

Richard_Webster

Make sure you go to the real Land Registry - the gov.uk site and not any of those that appear at the top in Google with similar names - they charge you much more for the same thing!