Inherited properties and Land Registry?

Lionel_Thinkbag

Wonder if someone can help with this, obviously when a house is sold it comes up on the land registry with price paid and owner etc.

But what about an inherited property? I ask because I downloaded a title that showed a property in my area as being bought in 2002 yet the people who live there said they own it and moved in 18 months ago? Would it take that long for the registry to update?

Also if they were renting, is it normal that the owners (landlords) address on the registry would be the same as the property address? (and the name isn't the same as the current occupiers)

davidmcn

Lionel_Thinkbag wrote: »

But what about an inherited property?

There's no requirement to register an inheritance on the Land Registry.

I ask because I downloaded a title that showed a property in my area as being bought in 2002 yet the people who live there said they own it and moved in 18 months ago?

And did they inherit it?

Also if they were renting

I thought you said they owned it?

is it normal that the owners (landlords) address on the registry would be the same as the property address?

The address is the one they used at the time of the last transaction the Land Registry knows about - so perfectly commonplace for it not to be the landlord's actual current address.

(and the name isn't the same as the current occupiers)

Well, it wouldn't be if the current occupiers are tenants.

antrobus

Lionel_Thinkbag wrote: »

... But what about an inherited property?....

If it was an inherited property, then the PR of the estate would have registered the change of ownership following probate.

Lionel_Thinkbag wrote: »

... I ask because I downloaded a title that showed a property in my area as being bought in 2002 yet the people who live there said they own it and moved in 18 months ago? Would it take that long for the registry to update?....

The obvious explanation would be that they are fibbing.

Lionel_Thinkbag wrote: »

... Also if they were renting, is it normal that the owners (landlords) address on the registry would be the same as the property address? (and the name isn't the same as the current occupiers)

Quite normal. Not everybody who rents out a property wants their lender or HMRC to know about it.

Land_Registry

Whilst there is no requirement to register an inheritance the legal ownership does not change until the executor (personal representative) transfers that ownership.

If the property is passing to the beneficiary then the executor can transfer the legal ownership by way of an Assent. If the property is to be sold then the probate enables the executor to do that and then the proceeds are divided as appropriate to beneficiary and costs of administering the estate/sale etc

Obtaining probate and dealing with the deceased's estate can sometimes take several months to complete/achieve and if the property was unregistered prior to their purchase then this could add on some additional months but 18 months seems too long especially as it seems the property was already registered.

The address on the register is a contact address for our own purposes, namely if we should need to contact the registered owner(s) so it is very much up to them as to what details they provide and perhaps crucially keep us updated on. Unfortunately that may not always happen.