Is there a central registry for property deeds?

cyclonebri1

So you have made it, you own your own home and are mortgage free. The bank relinquishes all title to the deeds and for obvious reasons your solicitor offers to hang onto them for "safe keeping"

But like all businesses, it changes hand, and moves premises. Plus you move around.

Is there somewhere to apply to to find out who has the deeds in their safe?

McKneff

I don't think so, but in all likelihood, paper deeds are not needed anyway.


All deeds are held electronically at the Land Registry.

cyclonebri1

McKneff wrote: »

I don't think so, but in all likelihood, paper deeds are not needed anyway.


All deeds are held electronically at the Land Registry.

Ah, interesting, but;

Mine probably pre-dated electronic storage, someone must have put the info up?, or does that drop under the land registry remit even back in the day?

PS, I think I know where they are but as in my "hypothetical question", the solicitor has changed hands and moved.

Goldiegirl

The Law Society would tell you who took over the solicitors, and if that solicitor in turn was taken over.

Since around 2003, the only value Title Deeds have is historical value.

All house ownership records are held electronically at the Land Registry.

There's no need for the Deeds to be held in somebody's safe, as they no longer prove ownership of a property. But they are nice to have, so if you find them, you might just as well ask to have them sent to you, and you can have them at home and enjoy the history of the house

cyclonebri1

Great thanks, yes I'm all for having the physical docs, I'm big on provenance and such like.

Can you just clarify the final point then?

When the property is finally up for sale/sold, the actual deeds do not get exchanged?

I know that's what you are saying but a thicky like me sometimes needs it spelling out:D:D.

I handles probate for my late mothers estate only last year, strange that our solicitor didn't mention that, she was very keen to hang onto them :A:A:A

Goldiegirl

You'll need to check with the Land Registry for a definitive answer, but it's my understanding that the paperwork generated by the Land Registry confirms ownership and transfer of ownership without the need for Title Deeds.


At one time the Lender would keep the Title Deeds if there was a mortgage on the property as their security for the mortgage. The lenders that I'm aware of do not have a requirement to keep the deeds anymore, in fact some sent the deeds back to the borrower half way through the mortgage.


The solicitor will be keen to keep the deeds 'safely' for you, as it'll mean you'll go back to them when you want to sell the house, and you'll most likely instruct that firm of solicitors in the sale of the property so it's a good way of generating business.


People buying the house would probably like to have the deeds if they were available, as it's a good history of the house


Hope this helps

Mojisola

Goldiegirl wrote: »

Since around 2003, the only value Title Deeds have is historical value.

All house ownership records are held electronically at the Land Registry.

There's no need for the Deeds to be held in somebody's safe, as they no longer prove ownership of a property.

This only applies if the property has been registered at the Land Registry.

There are plenty of properties which haven't been registered because they haven't changed hands in recent years and it's very important that the paper deeds are kept securely.

cyclonebri1

Mojisola wrote: »

This only applies if the property has been registered at the Land Registry.

There are plenty of properties which haven't been registered because they haven't changed hands in recent years and it's very important that the paper deeds are kept securely.

Ok, so my house was purchased by me 18 years ago, who registers the deeds with thew land registry now???

Also as I indicated earlier, by parents property owned by them for 40 years went through probate, will that be registered??

Dark stuff methinks

SG27

cyclonebri1 wrote: »

Ok, so my house was purchased by me 18 years ago, who registers the deeds with thew land registry now???

Also as I indicated earlier, by parents property owned by them for 40 years went through probate, will that be registered??

Dark stuff methinks

You can get a copy of the title deed of any registered property in the UK by going to the land registry website. It costs £3. The land registry must have kept copies themselves and at somepoint uploaded them.

Goldiegirl

You need to check with the land registry.

Your property bought 18 years ago is most likely already registered.

Your parents house may not be. This is the sort of thing the land registry will tell you

Mojisola

cyclonebri1 wrote: »

Ok, so my house was purchased by me 18 years ago, who registers the deeds with thew land registry now???

Also as I indicated earlier, by parents property owned by them for 40 years went through probate, will that be registered??

Check with the Land Registry to see if the properties are registered.
https://www.gov.uk/search-property-information-land-registry

If not, you can register it yourself or pay a solicitor to do it for you -
https://www.gov.uk/registering-land-or-property-with-land-registry