Title Unregistered.

charlotte4940

Hi, we are in the process of buying our first property. Mortgage and valuation all agreed and is now with my solicitor.
I got an email off her today and she said the title of the property we are buying is unregistered and is split into 2 parts and very complex. She has stated its nothing to worry about and will give me more info later. Can anyone explain what this means? Will it hold up the process as we are aiming to complete on 20th March

Thanks

Land_Registry

If the property is unregistered then it means the solicitors will have to investigate the old deeds adn documents to satisfy themselves that the seller is indeed the legal owner and able to sell for example.

Whilst there are over 24 million registered titles in England and Wales in some areas where properties have not changed hands in the last 25 years or more they may still be unregistered.

This is not usually a major issue but simply one which may take a little longer to investigate/consider.

I imagine by split into 2 parts they mean they have two separate sets of deeds for the property as a whole for example one set for the house and some land and another set for additional land acquired at a later date but still over 25 years ago. Nothing unusual in that again either.

In my experience much will come down to the solicitors involved and their experience of handling unregistered land/property. Some might take the view that the seller should get the property registered first and then we will recommend our client buys it - however as you will appreciate that can add to timescales.

Every property/ownership and set of deeds is unique and we always recommend to be guided by your solicitor on what to do here - they would also be the best ones to explain whether it is likely to hold up a completion date of 20th March

charlotte4940

Well thats good to know, thank you.

Yes they have had the property over 25 years which is why it is unregistered.

My Solicitor didnt say why it was i 2 parts just that she would update me when she had some more info back from the vendors solicitor.

Thanks

Land_Registry

I would take it as a positive that your solicitor is engaging with them over it - if you had to go down the option of asking them to register it first and then buying it that could delay things by a few months