Unregistered property, joint tenants

cookie365

Hello, if one of the owners of an unregistered property held as joint tenants dies, I know that the other owner automatically becomes sole owner.

Does the remaining owner have to notify the land registry?

If it's not mandatory, is it beneficial to do so?

Thank you.

saabay

There's nothing to tell them as there is no registered title. You'll need to place the death certificate (or a certified copy) with the original title deeds as evidence of the death.


What you could do is a voluntary registration at the Land Registry. That's a first registration that is not triggered by anything such as a sale or re-mortgage. There is a fee payable and you'll need to complete forms FR1 and DL which are available from the Land Registry website.

cookie365

Thanks saabay, that's very helpful

G_M

First Registration with the Land Registry is not triggered by this.

However Voluntary First Registrationmay make the eventual sale of the property a bit simpler/quicker.

Any sale will be a bit slower where the property is unregistered.

Similarly, though not a problem, any sale where a joint tenant acnnot sign (eg through death) may be a bit slower.

In this case you have both these situations. But Voluntary First Registration can be done at any time you wish, or you can simply wait till the property is sold or mortgaged.

cookie365

Thanks G_M, yes, I think we're going to do a first registration sooner or later, to make the transfer when the remaining owner dies a lot smoother.

But I'm relieved there's no immediate rush to do so.

Thanks everyone