safe-keeping deeds?

rabialiones

i do not have a mortgage on my house, and my solicitor has the deeds.
is it ok for the solicitor to keep the deeds or should i keep them somewhere else? in case of unforeseen circumstances.
i was just thinking today as to why solicitors readily are willing to keep deeds without charging anything, whereas you have to pay to keep documents in safe-keeping.
where is the best place to keep deeds?
i do not have a will!

thaylock

Personally, I keep my 2 sets of deeds in my fireproof (£50) safe at home, why a solicitor would want to hold onto your deeds is beyond me.

Paul_Varjak

If I had two copies of the deeds I would keep one in the fire-proof safe at home and the other with the Solicitor if he stores it for free!

Bossyboots

thaylock wrote:

Personally, I keep my 2 sets of deeds in my fireproof (£50) safe at home, why a solicitor would want to hold onto your deeds is beyond me.

As a goodwill gesture and in the hope that you will put further business their way in return.

Paul_Varjak

Bossyboots wrote:

As a goodwill gesture and in the hope that you will put further business their way in return.

My mother, sister and I all used the same Solicitor, not because he stores deeds for free but because he has given very good service over many years.

economiser

rabiolioness - whatever you decide about the deeds, and I would go along with the keep them yourself brigade, make a will. If the unthinkable happens you might end up leaving your estate to the state and nobody wants to do that - do they?

thaylock

Bossyboots wrote:

As a goodwill gesture and in the hope that you will put further business their way in return.

Please explain, I don't understand this.

When I said 2 sets of deeds, I didn't mean 2 copies, I meant 2 sets, 1 set for each property.

thaylock

Bossyboots wrote:

As a goodwill gesture and in the hope that you will put further business their way in return.

Sorry, I understand now. Goodwill my !!!!!!, why on earth would I want somebody else to be held responsible for the safe keeping of my deeds.

Paul_Varjak

Keeping your own copy of the deeds is irrelevant if the property is registered with the Land Registry; it is the Land Registry entry which is then proof of title. Of course, you may still want to keep a copy of the deeds as it may include restrictive covenants that you may wish to refer to at some time without purchasing a copy from the Land Registry.

So, I would't be too bothered about keeping the deeds at home if your property is registered. I think, in general, if the property changed ownership after 1998 it will be registered. If it changed ownership before then it may still be registered - just check with the Land Registry.

You can also apply for voluntary registration (at a reduced price) if it is not registered. Prices start at £110.

www.landreg.gov.uk