Title Deeds: Who Keeps Them?

Originally written by Garry Crystal, updated by the editorial team on 29th May 2026

What are title deeds?

Title deeds are the legal documents that prove ownership of a property or piece of land. They form the official paper trail showing who has owned the property over time, how it was transferred between owners, and any legal matters affecting it.

In England and Wales, most properties are now registered with HM Land Registry. When a property is registered, the Land Registry creates a digital record that serves as the definitive proof of ownership. This record includes details of the current owner, any mortgages secured against the property, and other relevant information. Some properties remain unregistered, particularly those that have not changed hands or been mortgaged for many decades.

The term title deeds is still widely used, though it often refers to a collection of documents rather than a single piece of paper. These documents might include previous conveyances, transfers, contracts, and other paperwork accumulated over decades or even centuries of ownership changes.

For registered properties, the Land Registry record has replaced the original deeds as the primary proof of ownership. However, the physical deeds themselves can still contain useful information not always captured in the register, such as detailed boundary descriptions or historical rights affecting the land.

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Why title deeds matter

When you buy or sell a property, solicitors and conveyancers will examine the title to confirm the seller has the legal right to sell. For registered land, this mainly involves checking the Land Registry records. For unregistered land, the original deeds become the primary evidence of ownership.

Title deeds and registry records serve several practical purposes:

Confirming who legally owns the property
Showing whether any mortgages or charges are secured against it
Recording any third party rights, such as rights of way or easements
Providing information about property boundaries
Detailing any covenants or restrictions on how the land can be used

Boundary information can be particularly useful if disputes arise with neighbours. While Land Registry plans show the general position of boundaries, they do not usually define the exact legal boundary line. Original deeds sometimes contain more precise descriptions or measurements that help resolve disagreements, though the quality and clarity of such information varies considerably depending on when and how the documents were prepared.

Covenants are another area where deeds prove their worth. These are binding conditions placed on the property by previous owners. A covenant might restrict building extensions, prohibit certain business uses, or require fences to be maintained in a particular way. These obligations can run with the land and bind future owners, so understanding them matters when buying.

Your situation may be slightly different. ask a question below ↓ and our editorial team will reply with our advice.

Who holds the deeds?

Where your title deeds are stored depends partly on whether you have a mortgage on the property, though practices have changed significantly in recent years.

Historically, mortgage lenders would hold the original deeds as security for the loan. With most properties now registered at the Land Registry, lenders rely almost entirely on the electronic register rather than physical documents. Many lenders no longer collect or store paper deeds at all, since the digital record serves as the definitive proof of ownership and any mortgage secured against it.

If your lender does happen to hold paper deeds and you pay off your mortgage, they should return them. You will also receive confirmation that the mortgage has been discharged, and this should be reflected in the Land Registry records.

If you own your property outright with no mortgage, you are responsible for storing the deeds yourself. There are several options:

Keeping them at home in a fireproof safe or secure location
Using a bank safe deposit box
Asking a solicitor to store them on your behalf, usually for a fee
Using a specialist document storage service

Each option involves trade offs. Home storage is convenient but carries risks of loss, damage, or theft. Bank safe deposit boxes offer good security but may involve annual charges and limited access hours. Solicitors provide professional storage but you will need to retrieve the documents when selling or remortgaging.

For registered properties, losing the original paper deeds creates fewer legal complications than it once did, since the Land Registry record serves as the official proof of ownership. That said, if your deeds contain unique information not reflected in the register, their loss could still cause difficulties. Keeping them remains worthwhile where possible.

What to do if deeds are lost or missing

If your property is registered with the Land Registry, you can obtain official copies of the title register and title plan online. These documents confirm the current ownership position and show the property boundaries as recorded. The cost is modest, currently a few pounds per document, though it may be worth visiting GOV.UK for current fees.

You can search the Land Registry database yourself using their online service, or ask a solicitor to do it for you. The register will show the registered owner, any mortgages, and other matters affecting the title.

If your property is unregistered, the situation is more complicated. Unregistered land has no central record, so the original deeds are the primary proof of ownership. Losing them can create difficulties when you come to sell or mortgage the property. That said, unregistered property is now relatively uncommon, and there is an ongoing push to bring more land onto the register.

Certain events trigger compulsory registration, including selling the property, granting a lease of seven years or more, or taking out a mortgage. If any of these occur with unregistered land, the new owner or lender must apply for first registration.

Where deeds are missing and problems arise during a sale, one option is to obtain indemnity insurance. This can protect buyers and lenders against potential claims or defects in title that cannot be fully verified due to lost documents. A solicitor can advise whether this is appropriate for your circumstances.

In some cases, you may need to gather alternative evidence of ownership and apply for first registration with the Land Registry. This can involve providing statutory declarations, evidence of occupation, and other supporting documents. A solicitor experienced in property matters can guide you through this process.

If you are unsure whether your property is registered, you can check using the Land Registry search service. This will tell you quickly whether there is a registered title and allow you to order copies of the relevant documents.

For properties in Scotland, the system works differently, with land registration handled by Registers of Scotland. Northern Ireland has its own Land Registry service. Both jurisdictions are also moving towards greater digitalisation of their records. If your property is located outside England and Wales, you should contact the appropriate registry for guidance on title records and documentation.

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225 questions

Ask Contracts and Agreements a Question

ContractsAndAgreements Editor 18/05/2026 at 9:15 am

@Chelle Sorry to hear about your dad. Your first step should be checking the Land Registry online (it costs about £3 for the title register), which will tell you who legally owns the house now and whether there's a mortgage still attached. If Abbey National (now Santander) held the mortgage, yes, contact them, as they may hold the deeds. Also apply to the Probate Registry to see if a will was ever lodged. If your brother is blocking your share, you'll need a solicitor.

Chelle 10/05/2024 at 12:36 am

My dad passed away 4 years ago couldn’t find deeds to house or will even deeds to the grave my brother lives there refused to buy me out or at rent firc4 years yet he appears to have endless money for renavations should I get Intouch with abbey national

Linda 13/04/2021 at 10:19 am

My mum passed away 2 months ago. Their is no will. I want to know how i go about finding out who as the title deed of the home as i cannot find it. Please assist me how to go about doing it

Hilary MacDonald 22/02/2021 at 2:34 pm

We have just paid off our mortgage and have recieved letter from land registry but my name on document is still in my maiden name, doesn't this cause any problems when coming to sell the property.

TT 16/11/2020 at 5:32 pm

My mother passed away and I was given her 2 acres of land. It was in my Aunt Paula's name so we had to go through her lawyer to have the lands ownership transferred to me. I paid for everything and until I was to gain possession of the Deed/ Title I gave her $1,100 for taxes. I then had the land surveyed and marked off. All I waited for now was the Deed/ Title, so I can begin building on the land. I was never given the Deed/Title and it has been years. Now another Aunt is trying to claim that she can take possession of the land because I didn't pay taxes. How can this be possible if they held the Deed/Title from me and wouldn't give me the right to own it or sign my name on the documents?

Nemo183 15/10/2020 at 12:01 am

If the title deeds are owned by a company or other organisation, then the who's name appears?

Bean 05/09/2020 at 3:44 pm

How do you go about finding the details of a property from the land registry.

Sizah 13/04/2020 at 4:31 pm

We have a challenge. Our father passed away in October 2019. They were married in customary with our mother. The have 4 homes together. The had no title deeds as the homes were in rural areas under the chief areas. The homes are not registered but they grow up in the area and later the were given a plot when they were ready to start their own family. They built these homes together. Now that our father is late there is a fight between our mother and our brother. He wants our mother to sell these homes and divide the money for everyone. Our mother is very frustrated since our father did not leave a will. We have tried to communicate with the lawyer who is dealing with the matter but it looks like she also takes instructions from our brother to evaluate the homes and divide the money and give our brother his share. We really need assistance regarding this matter we think it is so unfair for our mother. Thank you.

alfie 24/01/2020 at 3:32 pm

no point posting questions here nobody answers!

Libby 09/01/2020 at 6:38 pm

My grandfather purchased the freehold on 4 properties in Sheffield sometime before 1950. These were inherited by my father and have now passed to me. The ground rent is minimal and I would like to sell the freehold but have not been able to find the Deeds. It occurs to me that they would have been deposited with my grandfather's solicitors, Mee & Co, who no longer appear to exist. I'm not sure where to go next.

Mar 25/11/2019 at 1:02 pm

I bought my council,
It was paid out right,
When do I get my deeds to the house
Thank you

Trishy 28/09/2019 at 4:30 pm

I have separated from my ex wife, the mortgage on the family home is in both my parents and our names it was my parents home to begin with it's a long story but my parents had to move because of my ex my parents signed the land to me but mortgage is still in their name my ex wants 65 % of sale we went to court judge awarded her this but judge didn't know my parents owned property how can I solve this problem?

Peter Tomkins 19/09/2019 at 8:47 am

3 years ago my mortgage was paid off. I received from RBS a 3-page computer print out entitled deeds for the address given.

However, a neighbour has advised that when he completed his mortgage he received a document going back to when the building was originally built and purchased in the mid-1800s. I consequently spoke with RBS who advised that the Deeds for my property would come from the Land Registry. However, when I spoke with them they stated that they only provide the computer printout that I received. I am now somewhat frustrated by the attitudes displayed by the bank and a Government Department. Can you advise, please?

Dudu 01/09/2019 at 6:14 am

Bank lawyers where paid so that our title deed can be released. So where do I collect the title to our home we reside in the Germiston area. House was fully paid for in 2017 September.

Dave Javu 30/08/2019 at 4:40 pm

"If there is a mortgage then the deeds will be kept by the mortgage lender. The deeds will only be returned to the owner once the mortgage on the property has been fully paid"

can you quote me the authority that states we are supposed to get them back upon completion ?

this would be most helpful!

sincerely

Dave.

Kat 05/08/2019 at 2:30 am

We bought part of the property of one of our cousin, the heir of the property, we bought and paid in full almost 40 to 45% of the land.

Now we are in Possession of the original deed title for the whole property for the reason to keep sake and avoid any circumstances selling without transferring the part whom we bought already.

Question, can we keep legally the original copy until we transfer the part of property to our name?

Is there any issues or legal problems keeping it with us just to avoid future problems?

S'DUMO 09/05/2019 at 11:21 am

I HAVE PAID MY HOUSE IN FULL THAT WAS 2012,WHEN I WAS RETRENCHED FROM MY PREVIOUS JOB.I WASN'T TOLD WHEN I PAID THE HOUSE IN FULL THAT II MUST CANCEL THE BOND,NOW THAT I NEED MY TITLE DEED I'VE SEND ALL OVER THE SIDES.PLEASE HELP ME I DO NEED MY TITLE,WHAT MUST I DO.

Gal 28/03/2019 at 9:43 pm

I have a buyer for my mums house and we cannot find the deeds and it is not reg with the land reg. with have scgedulw of deeds and many other things. How long does a reconstruction of deeds take as we will moving into a new build in July?

Karen 08/03/2019 at 8:07 am

My dad has just passed away leaving mum with the house both names are on the deeds to the property. They had a mirror will. Does my mum have to take my dad off the deeds or not. Many thanks.

Jeanbrianbob79 02/02/2019 at 5:56 pm

Trying to get information on how to get the deeds to my house could you please help me

Rich 02/02/2019 at 12:54 pm

I had been going through my house insurance in regards to legal advise relating to some scaffolding that has been erected on my right of way at the back of my garden, it has taken them 3 weeks to look at the copy deeds I had supplied, along with pictures of the trespass (scaffolding erected), the firm have now sent me a letter saying they cannot help as they can not obtain a copy of the conveyance for either my property or the second property the dispute is with.
Why would they not be able to find either document ?

Septicsue 31/01/2019 at 7:29 am

Do the deeds show information on septic tanks and does it cost to get a copy from the mortgage provider. If so how much.

Mongie 23/01/2019 at 2:38 pm

How can I check that my Title Deed is Registered?

Eve 03/01/2019 at 11:14 am

Unfortunately I am the victim of fraud and would like to know how certain persons have managed to get their name on property I own. The fraud is vicious and includes professionals such as solicitors and police. How can I verify the deeds which were very be-quested in my name?

Jim 17/11/2018 at 3:58 pm

Q.
I am presently searching for the whereabouts to the deeds of a property I once owned and lived in.The property was purchased in 1986. Since that time my partner and I have been divorced and sadly she died in August 2016. My son has dealt with all matters pertaining to probate but after much searching we are unable to find the deeds to property. I have checked personally with the Land Registry who informed me that the property wasn't registered and after consultation with the Building Society I was informed that the deeds were handed over to I presume my former partner in 2013.I have also sent a number of emails off to all the Solicitors in the small town where the house was bought to see if they may still have a copy. Given that my name is still on the title deeds is it still down to me to pay the council tax on the property? If the deeds cant' be found what do I do next? Jim.

flower 08/11/2018 at 11:59 am

I am trying to find out if a relation of mine has the deeds to my late Nan’s place.
She died in March 1997 the place is now derelict as they do not live there anymore.
I just want to find out if their name is on the deeds. I have found out that the land and property is not registered. Can anyone help me? Thanks

Lesley 01/11/2018 at 10:07 am

I paid my mortgage off in 2017 nationwide...they state in a letter saying deeds were electroically held by the land registry. Does this mean I have to pay to see them?

Mick 31/10/2018 at 1:59 pm

My mortgage has been off for about 5years and I don't know who has the deeds is it the Halifax or the solicitor who I don't even know who he is

Karen 25/10/2018 at 3:05 pm

Hi my solicitor is blinding me with science so need to see if I can understand our
my mum has passed away and the assent of property is on going to my daughter
The mortgage was redeemed years ago
I have been asked to find the deeds which it seems my mum should have had but I can't find them! The property is registered at land registry and I have the number
On one hand she is telling me it's a problem that I can't find them but she is preparing the forms for the assent for me to sign??
Do I still need the deeds for a line to be drawn under all this and if so can I get copy as I can't find them!

ContractsAndAgreements Editor 07/09/2018 at 2:13 pm

whichshould tell you all you need to know including fees.

Piglet65 04/09/2018 at 4:34 pm

Hi we have recently got married and want to put both our names on our house deeds, currently just my husbands name do you know how we go about this and an idea of the costs involved please?

Trust 26/08/2018 at 4:41 pm

If you'd name is on the will to have family home by your mum but not on the deed... Does that mean that you have to pay inheritance tax and the house by your mother is not yours.
Does your name have to be on the deeds as well as the will.. Before death.

AndyF Editor 24/04/2018 at 3:02 pm

@Ali - you still owe the debt to the mortgage company. You might have a copy of the deeds, but not the actual deeds Land Registry holds them.

Ali 24/04/2018 at 7:35 am

We cashed in the endowment policy on our mortgage 6 years ago we needed the cash to keep our business going forward 6 years endowment money is due we haven't got it and are being forced to sell our house however we have the deeds to our house can we argue that we have the deeds so the house is rightfully ours

MaxB Editor 22/03/2018 at 12:33 pm

@Chou - only the Land Registry can give you a copy of the deeds.

Chou 21/03/2018 at 5:36 pm

We paid off our mortgage at the end of 2017. NatWest sent a note saying our deeds are with our solisitor (we don't have a solisitor!) Where can we get a copy apart the Land Registar who charge £70?

Chrissy Editor 09/03/2018 at 11:39 am

@linda - I don't think there are any old copies anymore - it's all digitised at the Land Registry. You'd only receive a copy anyway.

linda 08/03/2018 at 10:56 am

I paid my mortgage and was told by the mortgage company that my deeds were destroyed as they no longer keep them.I don,t want to pay £60 to read on a hard disc that I own the property I want the old documents.

Cris445 15/01/2018 at 9:25 am

Can you claim for full title deeds earlier than 12 years.
My father in law claimed possesionary title 11 years ago (at the time we only had to wait 10 years to upgrade). The government then changed the rules to 12 years.
As he applied when the rule was 10 years, can he apply for full now?

Frank 12/01/2018 at 6:30 pm

20 years ago a firm of solicitors did some conveyancing for us, on completion they asked if we wanted the deeds or should they keep them safe on our behalf. We agreed to the latter and it was left at that.
The firm of solicitors has since been dissolved and we wrongly assumed the deeds would be sent to us. We now have no way of contacting anyone about them, so how do we find out where they are ?.
Thanks Frank

Ged 18/12/2017 at 3:47 pm

I bought my ex mother in laws house and put a deed of trust on it the land registry have had sight of the deed of trust but the solicitors say they carnt find it i have a letter and copy of the deeds and deed of trust recorded that they were sent back to the solicitors what can i do if they have lost them

biltong 07/12/2017 at 8:27 am

We have the “right to park one road worthy car” in a designated space in our neighbours driveway. They don’t agree even when I have shown her the deeds and land registry etc, our solicitor has written her a letter and will continue to do so. due to contesting, do all legal fees lie with them? I know they will have to pay to change the deeds etc but the solicitors fees for the letters will also be at their cost? Thanks

Mazibuko 30/11/2017 at 10:31 am

Can I be evicted if I have the title deed of the property and i am the legal owner of the property. I don't live at the address but my daughter is, for the reason that I'm not living there they want to evict my daughter i have the original title deed of the property

satnavspurs 24/10/2017 at 5:01 pm

I bought my house (cash) 3 years ago. My solicitor tols me that Title deeds were no longer issued to the owner by the land registery. Is this correct , if so why?

JenI Editor 19/10/2017 at 10:08 am

@Crete - All deeds are held by the Land Registry. A discharge fee is one of a number of administration fees charged by mortgage lenders once a mortgage has been repaid to cover the costs of returning the title deeds to you.

Crete 18/10/2017 at 3:53 pm

We have just finished our mortgage with Leeds and have been told they do not hold the deeds which has been the way for 10 years and deeds are held by land registry but we have been told we have to pay 66.00 to retrieve them is this correct.

ContractsAndAgreements Editor 13/10/2017 at 2:06 pm

There are often many hold ups with regards to house conveyancing, for various reasons, such as problems/issues down the chain. Without knowing the reasons why, it is difficult to advise. There is little you can do to pressure the mortgage company to release the deeds - as again, the mortgage company may have its reasons for taking its time. You can only request that your solicitor attempts to find out the reason why.

Laura 06/10/2017 at 3:39 pm

I’m trying to purchase a property at the moment but the sellers mortgage company are being very slow in releasing the title deeds to their solicitor. It’s been 13 weeks now. How long does it usually take? Is there anything we can do to force them to hand over the title deeds?

Garryku Editor 19/09/2017 at 3:56 pm

@Bren - with the deeds you should get the plans which will show you were the septic tanks is. If not the former owner should be able to tell you. Another method is to find the main building drain exit point and often the septic tank is 10 feet away in a straight line from that point. Failing that a local plumber may be able to help.

Bren 19/09/2017 at 4:49 am

Is the septic location on the property feed?

Bren 19/09/2017 at 4:45 am

Is the location of the houses septic on a deed to the property?

Gerry 19/08/2017 at 3:15 am

If a mortgage is being paid off but not yet taken off Deeds or seller does not have the document because lender hasn't completed the paperwork and property is already in process of being sold on what Title Document can be in included in the Bundle sent to buyer to enable searches on extent of title plan. What is a "Title Information Document". Does it show a copy of extent of title outlined in red? Thanks in anticipation

twinkle 06/08/2017 at 12:55 pm

Is there a time limit on changing the name on prop deeds after someone dies and leaves the prop to you.?

Louise67 Editor 24/07/2017 at 9:57 am

@SEB27 - sounds expensive to me. Around £50 is usual. I'd do some research. Or contact Land Registry directly. You wont be given the originals anyway, just a copy which the Land Registry holds.

SEB27 21/07/2017 at 4:14 pm

Our mortgage finished a couple of years ago and we went to our bank were our mortgage was from to see about getting the house deeds we were told it was £195.00 is this correct.

Elle Editor 21/07/2017 at 2:48 pm

@Nutrocker - there are paper copies of deeds, but all the originals stay with the Land Registry and are online.

Nutrocker 21/07/2017 at 12:48 pm

I paid my mortgage off a few years ago. Just recently I thought about the deeds so went to the lending bank to ask for the deeds to be returned. I was told that there is no such thing as paper deeds and all deeds are now online.
Is this correct.

Smac 03/07/2017 at 6:03 am

Hi
A couple of months ago i received my original deeds through the post from a previous mortgage lender. I still have a mortgage. What if any are the implications?

Smac 03/07/2017 at 5:57 am

Hi, I have a mortgage with HSBC but a couple of months ago i received large parcel containing my original deeds from a previous mortgage lender saying they had found them in their storage. What, if any are the implications of this.
Thank you.

Ken45 Editor 26/06/2017 at 12:44 pm

@Kirsty - If you haven't bought the house two doors away, then you don't own it regardless of whether you have the deeds in your possession. It sounds like a mistake has been made. You may wish to return the deeds to whomever sent them out.

Kirsty 23/06/2017 at 8:36 pm

Hi I purchased a house and received the deeds I also received the deeds to another house 2 doors up both deeds have the same name on the of the man who owned them but we only paid for one this has only just came to out attention does this mean we own both properties

ContractsAndAgreements Editor 20/06/2017 at 12:24 pm

As specified in the article, if there is a mortgage then the deeds will be kept by the mortgage lender. The deeds will only be returned to the owner once the mortgage on the property has been fully paid. Therefore, you will need to contact the Halifax directly for more information.

R 17/06/2017 at 2:15 pm

I have a mortgage with Halifax which is ending this month and simply need to know if they have the title deeds to my property?

ABE 22/05/2017 at 11:05 am

Hi, when we changed mortgages the lender gave us the original deeds to the house, rather than just a photocopy, does this mean that we Own the house and they can' throw us out the house?

ContractsAndAgreements Editor 27/04/2017 at 10:24 am

Individual house owners only hold a copy of the deeds. The Land Registry holds the originals deeds on electronic file.

dannytom1 26/04/2017 at 10:02 am

we have the house deeds and have a secured loan with swift advances and being treated terrible by them to the point of them repossessing our house can they take the house off us even though we have the deeds

Win 13/04/2017 at 3:07 am

Hi, my husband made a will to his daughter years before we got married. But after we got married the property was both in our name. If my husband died who will get the property? Me as his wife or his daughter in his first married?

Lyndsie 01/04/2017 at 3:08 pm

My aunt sold the family property using falsified legal documentation claiming sole ownership yet the land was left to children's children's children and I hold the original deed. What actions may I proceed with if someone else now has assumed ownership and is attempting to sale

N/a 22/03/2017 at 7:50 am

Hi.
After my wife mum died, her dad couldn't cope with her adopted disabled sister who was 16 at the time. She was awarded criminal damages some of money after my wife's parents opsopted her due to the damage left after her real father was charged.
To have jade live with us and our three children we had to put an extension on the side of our house and change some internal walls to accommodate jade. Jade paid for the work to be done. We now have her full time except for two days a month rest bite. The trustees and court are now saying jade must be put on the deeds of property and given 25% of our home. She is now getting a better quality of life and is so much happier here. Why do we need to give her 25% of our investment and children's future house

Gerry 07/03/2017 at 11:51 am

If a property you are buying was a lease which still had 6 months to run, but has been surrendered, and you have completed and moved in, what has to be done with Land Registry Title, if the lease has not been removed from Register. Can Solicitor just let the end of lease date expire and Land Registry just issue Title Plan as per prior to the lease?

Catherine 08/02/2017 at 10:42 pm

We are due to change our mortgage deal and wanting a better rate , however I have debt in a payment plan with step change .
I have never missed payments . Can my husband get a mortgage in his name keeping me on the Deeds ?

ContractsAndAgreements Editor 07/02/2017 at 11:14 am

You would need to take professional legal advice regarding this.

Jeanie 06/02/2017 at 7:31 am

My home was awarded to me in a divorce 17 yrs ago however it seems he's still on the deeds I've received an application to register a restriction against land as ex is in debt ! Can they still take my home even though it was awarded to me in court

Jeanie 06/02/2017 at 7:27 am

My home was awarded to me in divorce however I have received an application to register land restriction my ex owes money and it would seem he's still on the deeds he left 17 yrs ago and I pay morgage ! Can they still take my house even though it was awarded to me in a court

ROMY 03/02/2017 at 10:21 am

Hi.
My parents want to sell their family home to me cash buy 60000 in scotland they would not be living in the property after sale.
Whats the best way to move forward to keep costs down.
Thanks

GillyB 25/01/2017 at 5:30 pm

I have power of attorney for my mum who is in a care home. Her house is rented out and the house deeds are in the bank. The council are loaning money to help her care home fees and have taken out a charge on her home. The loan will be repaid on her death. Now the council want me to hand over the title deeds for harm to keep. Is this normal?

Flakeylady 19/01/2017 at 10:42 am

Hi. My ex partner wants to transfer title def to my name. Am i legally obligated to accept the deeds? I dont want to own the property!

Mags 04/01/2017 at 11:17 am

My hubby left we divorced my mortgage ends in June 17 how can I take my ex off the deeds he s happy to do this guilty conscience I think anyway I want him off the deeds plz help

ContractsAndAgreements Editor 22/12/2016 at 12:24 pm

The original register of your title deeds are held by the Land Registry, electronically. You have to continue paying your mortgage, but you might wish to query with your solicitor why the deeds have been sent to you.

gj 21/12/2016 at 11:11 pm

Hi I have just bought a property and pay a mortgage for but my solicitor I used has sent me the original deeds ect in a bundle. Does this mean technihicaly I could stop paying mortgage as I have the original deeds not the bank?

Jezzarilla 12/12/2016 at 10:58 pm

I'd like to know if there is a register of properties what have no mortgage on them? ie if the mortgage is paid in full and nothing is owing then do these properties land on a list?

Mick 02/11/2016 at 10:52 pm

How much solicitors charge for keeping your title Deeds safe?

ContractsAndAgreements Editor 27/10/2016 at 12:42 pm

Please see Land Registry link here which will answer your question.

Jules57 26/10/2016 at 7:09 pm

I have just paid off my mortgage and the building society says they don't have the title deeds. How can I find out where they are or can I get a copy as need to make sure I am the only owner on the property as my ex husband should have been removed 2 years ago.

Min 15/10/2016 at 8:41 am

I divorced in 2011 my name is still on deeds and mortgage of property I shared with my Ex he has lived in house since we separated.
In the divorce there is a charge on house with my right to sell has now come into force. Currently I do not want to sell house however Ex now wants to change mortgage provider and add onto the mortgage to free up some capital to give to me. To do this he needs to take my name off deeds so he can get a mortgage alone. If I agree to do this would I still hold the right to sell the house and would the 'charge' still stand that I get my percentage of sale of house?

ContractsAndAgreements Editor 06/10/2016 at 11:54 am

I suggest you seek legal advice regarding this. Your partner would be able to register and interest on the property should you separate, due to the financial input he is investing in the house and because the house would be in joint names.

thejojomac 05/10/2016 at 3:38 pm

Hi, I inherited a property 5 years ago which I live in with my partner. We are not married. We have 3 children and are planning a big extension on the property which we will have to take a mortgage out for. My partner says I will have to change the Title Deeds of the property into joint names to apply for the mortgage. I cannot apply for the mortgage soley in my name he said as I'm not currently earning. Is there any way we can do this without having to put the title deeds into joint names? I'm worried if the relationship breaks down about entitlement etc. thanks

lou 01/10/2016 at 5:43 am

Do owners on a title deed, have to sign documents when they are transferred.

ContractsAndAgreements Editor 07/09/2016 at 2:22 pm

It's usual for your solicitor to give you a copy of the deeds on completion. You can see more via the Land Registry link here which should help answer your question more fully.

Lam 06/09/2016 at 8:55 pm

I have just bought a house for cash. i was told by my solicitor that the deeds are kept with Land Registry now both in England and Wales. How can I proof the house is mine if i am not given the deeds?
Thanks.
Lam

Lukeos1985 01/09/2016 at 7:22 pm

Hi, my brother was awarded a large sum of money in 2015, from compensation of the army, and suffers with psd, he brought a house cash, and placed his partner on the deeds, they may be splitting . now she is saying she will keep the house, cause she is on the deeds, although she has contributed nothing to the payment of the property what are her rights, they do have a daughter, Can she legally keep the house, or does my brother havin paid for the house have more rights, even though he placed her on the deeds,

Eileen 05/08/2016 at 2:15 pm

Hi. I purchased our home with my husband so we have equal shares so if one of us passed away would the surviving partner automatically receive his or her share of the property?
Also, as we have finished our mortgage can we apply for the full Original deeds to our property or only copies?
Thank you so much for your help!

ContractsAndAgreements Editor 28/07/2016 at 11:49 am

Many thanks for pointing this out Jim, we have rectified the mistake.

Jim 27/07/2016 at 3:04 pm

Not really a comment for discussion but I have just noticed a grammatical mistake near the top of this page headed - Who Keeps Title Deeds?

Where the title deeds are kept is mainly dependant on whether there is a mortgage on the property of not.

The word of should surely be or.

Regards Jim Quinn

Stan 17/06/2016 at 1:17 pm

When we bought our property 25 years ago ,our solicitor called us to his office to show us the original deeds and other paperwork relating to the house, dating back to Victorian times when it was built. The deeds were written on scroll and told it was of great historical value, and they would be kept in a holding store until the mortgage had matured, then they would be ours. Well now it has matured and after calls to lender, land registry and solicitor we still haven't been able to locate the original papers as they say everything is digital now. We are very upset about this , what if anything can we do, and is there anywhere else these documents might have been sent? We would really appreciate any advice you could give us .

Heidi Isaac 17/06/2016 at 11:44 am

Maria hi
ps the girlfriend to my ex does not live in the house i joint owe bought in 1985
She has her own house .

maria hi 17/06/2016 at 12:01 am

My ex husband passed away .we bought a house in1985 as joint owners now it seems my name is still on the deeds his girlfriend is trying to get them as he left all his money to her .as i did not know it was still in my name is the house mine ? He bought me out with £2,500 no court order was made i sighned nothing .

Sunita Dhunay 13/06/2016 at 8:59 pm

Hi my husbands mum is on the deed and his sister has decided to make the mum change the deeds the mum is in no state of mind. Now the sister is saying sh is going to get us kicked out are we untitled to some share of the house as it is her son.

ContractsAndAgreements Editor 19/05/2016 at 3:05 pm

I'm afraid we can only advise on UK based property law.

thandi 19/05/2016 at 6:40 am

hi. we live at a farm. my husband 's grandma has the title deeds. it's a family land and most people on it have passed on. some are married. she's the only one living here with a name on it. she wants to kick us out and claims its her land. can she do that

Kingy 01/05/2016 at 7:24 pm

Hi my mum and dad have passed away in the last 12 months and I have been going through some of their belongings and have found some deeds to a house they lived in about 30 odd years ago.
I think my Gran purchased the house for them at the time but I am wondering why would they still have the Deeds.
They have never mention anything about the Deeds so I am in the dark as to why they still have them.
Can you help.
Kingy

charris09 22/04/2016 at 4:28 pm

In 2008 i sold my property and part exchanged for a new build, my name is not on the mortgage or deeds to the house, my husband now has parkinson disease with lewys dementia, i pay half of all bills, where do i stand.

ContractsAndAgreements Editor 08/04/2016 at 12:37 pm

You would need to contact your previous solicitor directly to hurry them up. There is no reason for any lengthy delay. Therefore, you need to go direct to source.

fee liz 07/04/2016 at 5:45 pm

Hello, I bought my house out right 3 years ago, I am wanting now to take out a small mortgage loan, on the property, my original solicitors have my title deeds, I am with a new soliciter who is still waiting for the deeds to be past on to them, how long should this take and at what cost to myself. I have been trying to procced with mortgage against my property since feb this year.

ContractsAndAgreements Editor 31/03/2016 at 1:44 pm

Can they contact their previous mortgage company or the solicitor that dealt with the conveyancing? Otherwise the Land Registry can advise on how to make a 'statutory declaration' or 'statement of truth.

jono 30/03/2016 at 3:45 pm

My mother and father have misplaced their deeds to their house. They purchased their house in 1969 and paid their mortgage off 10 years later. According to land registry they have no record of owning it. But they have proof of them being on the electoral roll since 1970. How can they get replacement deeds if no info is available dating back to the dates I have specified.

wen 29/03/2016 at 5:42 pm

I divorced my Australian husband in 2013 .I live in uk he lives in Australia in our house as at the time of divorce I let him live in the house .I am joint owner on the deeds .where do I stand if I wanted it selling?

ContractsAndAgreements Editor 07/03/2016 at 2:16 pm

Most property deeds are held on record in the Land Registry

Ab27 06/03/2016 at 7:31 pm

My 83 year old uncle died recently and left his house to his sister (my mother) he had survived his wife by 16 years. His late wife left no will and he became sole owner of the property. She had a daughter by a previous marriage, whom my uncle did not adopt and has had no contact with for over 10 years. We have recently found that she has the deeds to his house in her possession and that he had tried unsuccessfully to get her to return them. Is there any way we can get them returned to my mother as his next of kin and heir.

ContractsAndAgreements Editor 22/02/2016 at 10:46 am

The council can enforce proceedings against people who have contravened the planning permission rules. Severe financial penalties can also be imposed and your neighbour can be told to restore the property to its previous state at their own cost, even if it means demolishing the structure if it does not comply with legislation. You need to speak/contact your local council planning department.

Bob 21/02/2016 at 8:43 am

Our next door neighbour has built a porch on their property which is attached to our joining wall and is now causing noise disruptions, our deeds stated no admenents to the front of the properties including porches, admenents to gardens etc etc but they have gone ahead anyway. After speaking with them about the noise they are not complying and waking up my children at silly times during the night. I.e 4am etc who and how do we go about taking this further as a polite word with them led to verbal abuse against me. Thankyou

ContractsAndAgreements Editor 12/02/2016 at 1:53 pm

You can find out whichI hope this helps.

RobTag 11/02/2016 at 9:11 pm

I appear to have lost my title deeds.
Upon final payment of the mortgage c.1992 said paperwork was requested and received.
Since then things have been moved around and the box containing all such paperwork has mefears been disposed of.
How easy is it to obtain new Title Deeds and how much should one expect to pay ?
Cheers, Rob.

Stan 29/01/2016 at 7:48 pm

We have had mortgage since 2002 we remortgaged in 2006 my husband is getting his pension & we want to pay our remortgage off we don't know who will have our deed will it be mortgage company or remortgage company

ContractsAndAgreements Editor 29/01/2016 at 12:18 pm

I assume you know you can object to the planning permission. Firstly, you will have a limited amount of time to obtain a copy of the application and documentation
from your local council planning department in order to raise your objection. Once you have the documentation you will need to identify your main areas of objection and also any flaws and irregularities you think you can locate in the plans. There is plenty of information on the internet on how to object to a plannning proposal, so you may wish to do some research here. Your neighbours also may object, so you may wish to see if there are any others on side. You can also contact your local MP, if you feel your neighbours are quite literally, pushing the boundaries.

ContractsAndAgreements Editor 18/12/2015 at 2:49 pm

You may have a copy of the title deeds, The Land Registry generally holds the originals.

Browney 18/12/2015 at 11:30 am

When i first purchased my property.
I was sent documents from the solicitor to myself which included all the title deeds to the property dating back to when it was first built.
I am still paying the mortgage and have 25+ years left on it and I have these deeds which are in a safe in my house.

I have told a couple people about this and they have all said that i shouldnt have them and if i do then that means i own the property outright already and should stop paying my mortgage.

I think the solicitor messed up when she gave me them and no i wouldnt have a leg to stand on if i tried to argue against the bank so im still paying.

But is it true.

ContractsAndAgreements Editor 09/12/2015 at 11:44 am

You can get a copy from the Land Registry, I hope this helps.

Tom 08/12/2015 at 11:29 am

I have misplaced my title deed and I need it but I am not sure where I can get the copy of it...can I please be given the place or numbers to call in order to get a copy of my title deed

Kumiko 12/09/2015 at 2:54 pm

I bought free hold of five flat.each of them has deed of valuation written by old free holder.
Are they still stand even I'm new free holder?

sazi 12/09/2015 at 1:50 pm

My ex went bankrupt I paid his trustees for his interest of the property I'm now selling the house he's still on deeds what do I do to get him off as a solicitor has had paperwork drawn up stating he has no financial gain.i have no contact with him for over 8yrs due to domestic violence.

ContractsAndAgreements Editor 11/09/2015 at 12:41 pm

Title deeds are paper documents showing the chain of ownership for land and property, please see Land Registry link here which should answer your question. However, I should also contact your solicitor again directly to ask the reasons why it has offered the deeds to you.

sarra 10/09/2015 at 6:12 pm

I sold a house last week and my lender asked me if I want the title deeds to be sent to my new address, I said aren't these meant to be kept by the new owner? They said no we can send them to you if you want! I said yes as was unsure and thought they know better. Then I found out I have been charged £90.00 to release them, still have not received anything and the owner's Solicitors has not asked for them? I am confused, was that just for the sake of charging extra fees for something I do not own any longer?

ContractsAndAgreements Editor 05/08/2015 at 9:59 am

@pearl - The application for removal of your deceased husband's name is straightforward and is made using HM Land Registry Form DJP which can be obtained for free from the Land Registry website. The Land Registry will require evidence of the death, either by a certified copy of the Death Certificate, the Grant of Probate (if there is a Will) or Letters of Administration (if there is no Will). However, I suggest you call the Land Registry via the link here in order to find out the best way to remove the names of your daughter and husband. As specified in the article, a solicitor may be needed if the title deeds are being changed, and there will be a fee for this service. If there is a mortgage on the property and if there are co-owners then the lenders or co-owners will need to agree to the changes. I hope this helps.

pearl 02/08/2015 at 9:23 am

Good day, I recently had my daughter and her husband added to my title deeds to they could qualify for a home loans which they did, my home loan is now paid off in full. I now have my title deeds but their names are still on it, how do I remove it from my title deeds. I need to also remove my husband who also recently passed away. I want to now make a will. So before I do that, all the names of my daughter and her husband and my late husband have to be removed.

ContractsAndAgreements Editor 27/07/2015 at 10:24 am

@Spartcas - in this case it might be worth having a chat to the Land Registry and see whether they will issue any advice. You can contact them via whichI hope this helps.

Spartcas 24/07/2015 at 11:24 am

When I purchased my property our solicitor said the deed had been lost years ago. New ones were made (as I understand).
While in local pub I met old owner, previous to the owner I brought the house off. He said the deeds were with a solicitor (could catch name) and they were very old and covered a large plot of land. The old owner divided the land, built houses etc. He said the original deeds belong to him and the are valuable since the a torn out of larger sheet of paper/book to show they are genuine (shape of tear can be checked with other sheets?????)
very basic I know but should I get my solicitor to look further into this???

manmymary 08/07/2015 at 4:24 pm

i have the deeds to my house in my name but I have a mortgage how do I stand legally?

confused 02/07/2015 at 1:21 pm

Can there be a transfer of deeds on a joint mortgage??
I have recently divorced and have attended a final hearing. The court ordered that within 28 days the Respondent (not me) transfer deeds to the former marital home to me and the Applicant (me) does a charge back on the property. The mortgage on the property is in joint names and although I have solely been paying this mortgage in full myself for three years, I have been unable to secure my own mortgage with a different lender. There seems to be conflicted advice whether deeds can be transferred with a joint mortgage. If current lender wont release ex husband off mortgage, what are my options?

ContractsAndAgreements Editor 25/06/2015 at 1:37 pm

@answers please - you would have to call the mortgage company directly for this information.

answers please 23/06/2015 at 3:37 pm

Hi there
I have a mortgage and now that I am divorced I would like to change the name on the mortgage to my maiden name. What do I need to do?
Thanks

ContractsAndAgreements Editor 16/06/2015 at 12:23 pm

@Muvver - you would really need to seek legal advice over this matter as it is not as straightforward as it might seem. Pease see Inheritance Tax link, here which may help you further.

Muvver 13/06/2015 at 5:25 pm

Hi,

My brother wants to leave me his house in his will as he has no other family or dependants. He still has to make his will yet. However, recently he has lost his job and as he is 61 years old , its doubtful if he will get another anytime soon. He has four years more of mortgage payments which I have agreed to pay so I feel I have contributed something. He now wants to put the house in my name only so as to secure this arrangement. He knows that he will have a home there until his dying day. Would you think this is a good idea or is there any other way we could secure it. If the name on the deeds can only be changed when it's been bought outright then I am able to pay off the rest of the mortgage early.

BHH 11/06/2015 at 8:27 am

I own a flat in Margate Kent, it is flat no 2 in a large converted house. There are are 4 flats in the property and this conversion was done many years ago,but mine is not on the land registry.
How do I stand with selling, how do I get it put on the land registry. thanks.

shaz 10/06/2015 at 11:40 am

Plz help. How do I find out who has the deeds to my late mums house

Janemckl 27/05/2015 at 9:48 pm

Some of the questions on here are awful. Some folk sound like right greedy scroungers..

PeteL Editor 01/06/2015 at 9:53 am

@needsomehelp! - that's not off to a great start is it with your new neighbours. Yes, it should will be enforceable by law if it is on the TR1, likewise if you have any verification of the agreement to pay half the cost through the purchase process, you should through small claims, be able to tag that cost on too.

needsomehelp! 27/05/2015 at 12:33 pm

Both mine and my neighbours house need to be connected to the mains water supply, and during the purchase process we agreed to share the cost of this. They are now refusing to pay, however our TR1 transfer document has a provision that when the water is installed they must pay half the cost. Is this enforable by law? If i pay the full cost, do i then have a legal right to sue him for his half?

ContractsAndAgreements Editor 29/05/2015 at 9:38 am

@pops - as specified in the article title deeds are legal documents that show who officially owns and holds title to a property or land. Title deeds are sometimes known as land certificates and need to be officially registered with the HM Land Registry. here. I hope this helps.

pops 26/05/2015 at 11:59 am

My dad pass away in 2007, he had a house and sum1 staying there and we don't knw how ...where can I find the title deeds to confirm he has all rights to stay in da house?

ContractsAndAgreements Editor 27/05/2015 at 11:40 am

@The Brush - Sorry to hear of your father's death. Is your sister the executor of the will, do you know? If so you should ask her directly. If you are a beneficiary of his will the executor/s 'should' in theory tell you. However, you you think your sister may be trying to keep information from you, you can get a copy of the will from the the Probate Registry on grant of probate. You can also contact any solicitors or other professional advisers you know your father used, if you can't locate his will yourself. If you are still unsure of the situation, I would take some legal advice regarding the best approach, particularly if she is selling of bits of his estate without consultation.

The brush 24/05/2015 at 3:18 pm

Hi ... My real dad died 4 weeks ago and got a good send off I must say

Anyhoo I am one off two children ...
And I.m the oldest my half sister a few years down from a different marriage

Anyhoo my dad as 3-4 house .car and bank accts ... E t c

The reason I.m ask this cause I dont think he made a will or if he did I cant find it .... Looked threw the courts e t c ...

Now my sister sold his car two days after his death without out telling me ..which I think no right .. Also spoke to my uncle and his words
He never told me he had a son. Know about his daughter only.then he said I.m in shock with this ... Hmm me too ??

Anyhoo what to do and how I cab find out where to get the info I need ... Like deeds e tc
.

DD Editor 22/05/2015 at 2:28 pm

@mama - if you are married then the house should automatically pass to you. You would have to contact a solicitor to have your name transferred to the deeds.

mama 22/05/2015 at 5:56 am

My ex husband is deceased, my name is still on property deed and a home loan. Our divorce papers state he has full responsibility of home. What grounds do i have since he is deceased and never changed deed or loan?

Annie 21/05/2015 at 2:01 pm

My friend's title deeds were with her building society. This company had a fire whose responsibility is it to pay for new title deeds? (Scottish Law)

ContractsAndAgreements Editor 13/05/2015 at 2:14 pm

@holiday planning permission is not usually required, providing the work is internal, the garage structure is not extended and you do not live in a conservation area. I hope this helps.

holiday 11/05/2015 at 10:29 pm

we live in a link detatched house and our deeds state the garage must solely be used a garage, however our neighbours whose garage is attached to our house are planning to turn their garage into a dining room, and a utility room. will this be legal as
all the houses in our road are of a similar nature

Peanut 11/05/2015 at 7:29 am

Hi. I was given legal with my divorce 5 years ago and believe it would be paid back when I sell my house.
I'm trying to re mortgage, do I need to let the mortgage lender know myself.
Or does it show when the solicitor does his checks?
Also can it affect re mortgaging, I believe it's about £18k.
Thank you

nobby 08/05/2015 at 1:14 pm

My wife's name is the only one on our deeds. In the event of anything untoward happening to her, where would I stand re home ownership?

meterman 04/05/2015 at 6:32 pm

Following the recent death of my mother, does my father need to change the deeds on the property he jointly owned with my mother? If yes, what is the procedure? He is 93 years old and blind so it will be down to me to follow this through.

ContractsAndAgreements Editor 16/04/2015 at 2:18 pm

@Lindi - I'm afraid that because we are a UK-based organisation, we don't have knowledge of South African law, so we cannot answer your question.

Lindi 14/04/2015 at 2:45 pm

I have a house and I am bond free since 2008. I have made a will with FNB that says; the house belongs to my kids and I was single then.

2013 I got married in community of property and my partner and myself do not have a house of our own. He still leave in his parents home. Now I need to change my title deed to my kids. What are the chances?

The thing is he got his pension money and we are now separated before he got his money and has not told me that he has received. He just bought a car and he did not even told me. He is spending his money alone.

wink 02/04/2015 at 2:20 pm

my partners brother needs help to buy his house so my partner co signed and lived at the house for 3 years and now he wants to take his name off the deeds but my partner dont want to sign to be removed from the deeds his brother now saying that he can take him off without him signing is this true and we want to buy our own house but we need help with the deposit and his brother said he cant help due to trying to sell the house is there anyway to get any money for the deposit

ContractsAndAgreements Editor 26/03/2015 at 12:54 pm

@Wizard - it doesn't matter if the house is over 100 years old it will be electronically registered. I'm afraid, I don't think the deeds can help you here, if you don't pay your mortgage you will get taken to court regardless.

Wizard 23/03/2015 at 9:20 pm

I have the Deeds for my house despite there being a mortgage in place.
They were sent in error to me.
I am facing a suspended possession.... Can having the deeds help me in any way.
The house is over 100 years old so electronic registry is doubtful.

ContractsAndAgreements Editor 20/03/2015 at 10:46 am

@dobbins - drawing an agreement up through a solicitor is the best way to secure this arrangement. I hope this helps.

dobbins 17/03/2015 at 8:58 pm

Hi, my brother bought his council house some years ago and has four years left on the mortgage
He is leaving the house to me in his will as he has no wife or children. He has recently lost his job and I would like to contribute to the mortgage payments. How would I make sure that my investment is secure or is it good enough just to be in the will. Should I see about adding my name to the deeds? My brother is 61 and I am 55, we do not live in the same house.

Barry Editor 25/02/2015 at 12:42 pm

@Tattyhead - Your mortgage company should have sent them to you when you'd paid up. But I wouldn't worry as the Land Registry will have a copy of your original deeds.

Tattyhead 23/02/2015 at 12:42 pm

We have a copy of our house deeds house is paid up. If we sell do we need original deeds if so where do we get them from. Our mortgage lender was c.i.s.

ContractsAndAgreements Editor 10/02/2015 at 1:49 pm

@nutty mark - it would have been advisable of you to have sought legal advice at the time in order to make sure your name was on the deeds and the property would be passed directly to you, should anything happen. An important part of the title deeds in your case will be joint ownership. If the property is owned by more than one person then this will need to be included in the details. It should also set out exactly how much of the property is owned by each person, and there should be details on what will happen if the other person were to die; these details are known as survivorship details. A solicitor will be needed if the title deeds are to be changed. I hope this helps.

nutty mark 09/02/2015 at 7:57 pm

hi I need your help me and my wife asked dad to buy his council home because we were both living there and got worried just encase anything happened to him so we gave him all the money to buy it out right through our savings and a loan we got because he was to old to get a mortgage we was hoping that we could of got a mortgage to pay the loan off and do the house up but our name was not put on the deeds is there anything we can do to get our names on there

Airops1 07/02/2015 at 11:15 am

We gave our House deeds to Harris Cartier a few years back we have since learned that they went into Admin in 2013. They also have our will, Land registry and House deeds is there anyway at obtaining these thanks

ContractsAndAgreements Editor 20/01/2015 at 2:33 pm

@cravo - not sure about Spanish law and what it entails, as it is very different from UK conveyancing laws. Should you not be able to easily transfer the ownership, you will also need proof that you are actually owner of the property (via financial transactions etc), just in case the apartment becomes part of the divorce settlement by default. Therefore, I think you need to seek some legal advice, and better sooner than later.

cravo 19/01/2015 at 6:24 pm

my wife and I bought an apartment and paid a deposit with payments every month until the place was finished.then we paid the rest in cash. we went back to England waiting for my son to ring to come over and sign the deeds but before I went over to spain I took ill and had to have a operation. were as I couldnot go and sign the deeds.my son signed them with no intension of trying to fleece us.the thing is now he is having problems with his wife and looks like a divorce is there any way that the wife and I can now sign the deeds

TB 19/01/2015 at 3:46 pm

Me my son and daughter have a flat which I bought in 2009, we are all on the deeds. I now want to remove my name and my daughters name from the deeds, we all consent to this. Must we use a solicitor/conveyancer? Can it be done my ourselves? Is there a fee? Thanks

amp 11/01/2015 at 8:45 am

Hi, My wife purchased a property back in the 1980's, but had a friend on the deeds/mortgage, because she couldnt afford it on her own, she says that she put £10k , the house was costing about £30k, the friend put nothing just put her name on for income purposes etc., My wife states, that there was an agreement, that the other party was only due 15% or 25% if the property was sold at a profit, etc., Well back in 2011, the other person done a moonlight flit and dissappeared. Leaving my wife in debt, so my wife has been paying the mortgage and a loan which the other person had secured against the house. How does my wife remove the other parties name from the mortgage/deed, and who would hold the paperwork with the percentage share as she cant recall the solicitor, would it state something like that on the deed, any clause?, or is she basically stuck in the mud. The other person has just left, so my wife is paying thousands of pounds whilst the "friend" pays nothing but still has her name on the loan/deed, etc. What can be done?

Thanks

Steve

Busydeebee 02/01/2015 at 9:54 pm

Following parliament imposed legal changes, the assets of the property management company (jointly owned by the property owners) will be transferred to the local water and sewage company. My house deeds include restrictive covenants owed by each property owner to the property management company. When the defined relevance of the company no longer applies, can the restrictive covenants still be applied?

PW 17/12/2014 at 9:40 pm

I am currently living with my parents and they would like to transfer / gift me the house but still have an outstanding mortgage. Will I have to take over the mortgage or can I leave it in their name still. I naturally contribute to the mortgage and bills but have nothing in my own name with regards to deeds etc. We all will continue to live together until the mortgage is paid off. Please advise If I have to switch the mortgage to my name. Many thanks.

Will Editor 16/12/2014 at 12:52 pm

@Me - if you have been taken off the mortgage, then it would be a condition of the lender that you were no longer on the title deeds. Did you put money into the house? If so then you have a case to get that money back if you haven't already been bought out. It's a difficult one to advise on as you don't give much detail about the purchase, how long you've had it, how much you have put into it etc.

Me 15/12/2014 at 8:36 am

A few years back I bought my grandparents house jointly with my cousin... I have recently moved out and been taken off the mortgage and I no longer pay anything..
My name should be still on the deeds... How do I find this out?
Can I be taken off without my consent? And what does this mean with my name still on, regarding future sales etc..
Any advice appriciated ..thanx

Bee keeper 28/11/2014 at 10:52 pm

I bought a property six weeks ago as a cash buyer. When could I expect to receive the property deeds?

Sue Editor 24/11/2014 at 12:00 pm

@Deb - yes, you can be on the deeds of a property and also get a mortgage for another house, if that's what you mean?

deb 22/11/2014 at 9:35 am

if someone's name is on the title deeds and there is a mortgage on the property which they are not on does this impact on their ability to get a mortgage themselves.

MattK Editor 29/10/2014 at 12:19 pm

@deerstalker - I imagine they are just copies of the deeds as the Land Registry keeps the originals. As much as it might be annoying, it isn't going to prevent your grandmother from selling her house. If she is very worried and wants them back, she could see a solicitor who will compile a letter demanding they be returned. Matty.

deerstalker 29/10/2014 at 9:49 am

hi my nans son as took her deeds what can be done as he wont give them back

ContractsAndAgreements Editor 21/10/2014 at 11:21 am

@Anna - no she can't change the title on the deeds without your consent. She would need both your consent and signature.

Anna 21/10/2014 at 4:34 am

My mother is trying to change deeds (tittle) on the house by taking my name out. Can she do that without my consent? We are both listed on official copy of register of title.
I moved out recently as she become unbearable to live with. Doctor and brother wont help and I am suffering daily abuse. The latest thing is that she wants to change deeds (tittle) which is is worrying me as I don't have any pension.
Thanks.
Anna

davey 11/10/2014 at 9:09 am

my parents want to get some money off there house but my name is on the deeds as a third party so will not be able to they have been told,so can I have my name removed as I did not pay anything into the house when they had theH mortgage.

Cheeky 10/10/2014 at 6:59 pm

I'm about to purchase a house with my new husband who wants joint names on the deeds. The majority of the money is coming from the sale of my house, what can I do about the deeds as I do not want him to obtain the house if I die.

Marty 07/10/2014 at 11:02 am

When, and hopefully its not soon my mother (83yrs) passes away, would all the children, whom she has left the house to in her will have to have their names put on the Title Deeds before the property is sold

Newlywed 05/10/2014 at 11:41 am

I sold my property when I moved in with my Fiance and paid off his mortgage 8 months ago. We married last month and we had agreed he would add me to the deeds of the property. he is now not acting on this saying I will get half anyway when he dies. he hasn't made a will and assumes the wife gets half of everything because his ex did in their divorce. I am very upset about this as I feel I have paid a considerable sum into this property but cannot state I own it. what shoud I do ?

Jim 04/10/2014 at 1:08 pm

I started my mortgage in1993 and have paid it off will i get my deeda

Joyce 01/10/2014 at 4:54 pm

We are in the process of selling our house which we have no mortgage on, which we paid off 3 years ago. We do not have the deeds to house, but are sure that the bank still has them. They have checked but say they don't seem to have them we also had our Mortgage with the bank Lloyds TSB. What can we do to try and locate these deeds?

jacko 15/09/2014 at 5:22 pm

my wife is trying to find out which name her mothers property is in

Lilacmiliner 13/09/2014 at 8:12 pm

In 2006, I remortgaged my property and the bank took custody of the hard copy title deeds. I have recently repaid the loan in full but my title deeds have not been returned. I spoke to the lender and was told that hard copies deeds are no longer kept and I would have to contact the Land Registry Office and pay for hard copies, which hardly seems fair since the bank took possession of my originals. Is this information correct and what would have happened to the original deeds which included rules governing the site on which my property stands?

scott1 06/09/2014 at 11:43 am

My mother died and left in her will her half share of the house she shared with my step father to my brother and I.
How is this sorted out on the title deeds for the house?
How can I prove that my brother and I now own her half to stop my step father selling the house?

sue 26/08/2014 at 5:46 pm

Me and my husband still have a mortgage outstanding on our current property.We also have the original deeds to the property. What is the situation in respect of this?

Terri 17/07/2014 at 12:07 am

My brother and I mother recently passed. My brother had a verbal agreement with my mother ex husband who has been remarried for at least six years, had a agreement when my mother was still in the cemetary before funeral services we received a call frm the Mortuary advising on one of the policies my mother had our ex step dad was the benefeciary, being that we read paper work where my mother had change beneficiary along with her will she had made years ago, the agreement was if my mother's ex husband signed the policy to pay balance for services my brother and I were to split the monies received in 3 ways, the policy was for 100,00.00 Of course after my moms service and the policy was paid out, the ex breech the verbal agreement and advised us he was keeping the money from the divorce money he had to pay out in 2006. So my brother and I, her only children have been completed left out on this policy my mother would not have wanted her ex who by the way re married within less the year of divorce even having a affair while married, my heart is in pain knowing this man is spending money my mother wished for her children to have with his present wife. What can we do? or is there anything we can do. We tried forwarding a claims to the insurance company but no success after ex wz paid.

star 11/07/2014 at 12:11 pm

My mother passed away and as her children my two brothers are married and am also married. Kindly need advice whether is it possible for us to change the deeds to all of us or leave it on my mother`s names as its our home.

ss0038 26/06/2014 at 11:53 am

Can I evict someone if the deed is still in my wife name that has passed a way about 3 years a go

Mr H 09/04/2014 at 8:04 am

My Parents have pass away and left their house to myself and my brother. We have decided to sell the property. Do we need to change the title deeds into our joint names before we can sell it

tomatoe cheeks 17/12/2013 at 11:58 am

Hello there
II remortgage my property in 1998, with RFC GMAC the company no lnoger is functioning. I had sent the deeds to the company, where can I obtain a copy of my deeds.

morgan 01/10/2013 at 9:06 am

please can you help me,on my house deeds my right of way to my back garden,i have a gate from the street and then an other to my back garden,i have new people that have moved in next to me and they have now put an other gate 6ft high,but on my house deeds there is only 2gates,so can he do this?

carebear 31/05/2013 at 3:02 pm

my father pass away in 2008 and my mother has got his deed when she was not married 2 him and i am only daughter he has got so how can i get them put on 2 my name

pj 25/02/2013 at 1:59 pm

My partner has recently left we were not married or in civil partnership ,we have a deed of trust for the house I live in with our 9y old son. He presently pays half the lorgage and bills.He may go bancrupt and the bailiffs are persuing him.Is the house vulnerable (the deeds are in my sole name but worried that the deed means the house could have forced sale to cover his debts ? Can you advise please?

eila 17/12/2012 at 10:26 pm

My father Thomas Francis Finnan is supposed to be at rest in West Derby Cemetary, grave 1030, section R.C. 7. Liverpool. He is in fact by devious means from members of his family, interred at Anfield Cemetary, section 13. Unmarked grave. Liverpool. Unknown to me at the time of me interring dads ashes, that this Was not the family grave offered as a place of rest but a unmarked hole in a differentgraveyard. What recourse to the law is available to me his daughter and eldest child? To override the deed holder of the West Derby Cemetary, to have it opened and prove my dad is not st rest there! But in fact in Angield Cemetary. I do have some document of proof of all this. But keep getting fobbed off with - its a civil matter. Is this not by its sheer deviousness a criminal matter ? Please advise if possible. Have just written to The Ministry of Justice. Thank you eila.

justjanet1954 28/11/2012 at 4:44 pm

My next door neighbour has put a very large motorhome on the drive right next to my house. This is a total breach of the covenants set out in the title deeds.Can you please advise me what to do. The covenants are in place for 88 years, and only 33 years have lapsed. Many thanks, Janet Nicholas.

Ladyloo0 01/09/2012 at 8:07 pm

We own a set of deeds for a very old house. The owner of the said property is interested in buying the deeds from us. How do we find out the value of the deeds.

JAN 22/07/2012 at 8:49 pm

my solicitor has now retired and was holding my deeds how much will the cost be for another solicitor to hold my deeds for meHUT

jewell 19/07/2012 at 8:13 pm

I am the lone survivor of a property passed on to my full siblings and myself by my parents. My full siblings are all dead and I have the current. My half sister says she has an old Will that states she is the executor of the property, even though she is not on the current Deed. Does she have right over me on the said property?

Msy 01/07/2012 at 5:36 am

My grandmother died long time ago leaving her brother in the house without giving him to own it and her brother died too leaving his children in the house, when i went to the municipality to check to whom is it registered, it is under my grandmother's brother, how can i get it back to the person it is suppose to belong to and how could he have obtained the title deed?

freddo 11/06/2012 at 11:12 pm

I lived in a property from 1981 to 2009, how much it cost to get a copy of the title deeds, so I can see who I had a mortgage with. I re-mortgaged several times and I would like a complete list of all the companies I had a mortgage with so I can persue a PPI claim.

Sterling Mum 29/05/2012 at 6:14 pm

I recently contacted a solicitor who had taken over from the previous owner and was told that they had destroyed all files of ten years old and over. This included the title deeds to my property. I was advised that I did not need the original title deeds and that I could obtain copies at any time from my local council. Upon checking on the Land Registry web site I discovered that I would have to pay for this. Is the information I have been given correct and does a solicitor have the right to destroy what was my property without my permission?Thanks

nobby 13/05/2012 at 1:57 pm

I bought a property from the council and there is a piece of concrete base that used to have a garage on it, but council said they don't have plan of how big the garden was even though the neighbours say it belongs to us, the council only sold the land to where our fence stopped how can I find out this is mine and how do I go about claiming it

BigBro 21/04/2012 at 4:22 pm

In 2005 my father transferred the deeds of his house to my brother and myself. We are Tenants in Common. There were conditions place upon the transfer stating that the property could not be sold without my father's permission, or the permission of his solicitors. I was also granted Enduring Power of Attorney. Since then our father has developed dementia and now resides in a care home. The house has been empty for over 3 years. My brother and I wish to sell the property, but our father's condition has deteriorated to the point where he is in no longer capable of giving consent. His solicitor has retired and his business has terminated. I have applied to the Office of the Public Guardian for the EPA to be registered with the Court of Protection. That process is underway. Given the circumstances of our father's health and his solicitor's retirement, can we apply to have the condition removed in order to sell the property?

Eunice 17/03/2012 at 6:07 pm

I have repaid the mortgage. The lender sent me a letter and said, the Land Registry Office will send me the document to prove I am the owner of the property.
Then I received the "Title" from the Land Registry. But I have not received the "Lease".
I wonder where can I get my "Lease"?

Georgina 12/03/2012 at 8:36 am

I have rented my property for over 10 years and recently I heard my landlord saying he doesn't knw where the deeds to the property is. The mortgage is paid. Am I entitled to have my name on the deeds as I have been paying rent for more than 10 years?

Executor 20/02/2012 at 4:22 pm

I am the executor of my late mother-in-laws estate in Scotland - her property is mortgage free and left to her siblings - they are now ready to sell the property - can I change the title deeds to new owner without the aid of a lawyer & how do I go about this. I was advised earlier I did not need certificate of confirmation as her estate was small & straightforward - will I need this to sell property

cowboy 30/11/2011 at 8:50 pm

I have recently repaid my mortgage, do I get my original deeds back from my lender and should there be any charge for this?

batey 11/11/2011 at 7:28 pm

back in 1984 i had a mortgage with the mercantile building society which is now the leeds building society how can i get the mortgage number as the leeds say they dont have any records dateing back that far

JEPS 08/11/2011 at 5:27 pm

My neighbour has put up a concrete shed in their backgarden that is in breach of the covenants in the title deeds.The structure is an eyesore and not in keeping with any of the gardens in the area. Pls advise what should be done to have this corrected.

dolph60 19/10/2011 at 8:40 pm

My ex partner has now left the house, I have the morgage in my name. How do I now change my Land Registry deeds to in my name please?

Aggie 06/10/2011 at 6:15 pm

When I got married; my husband already had a house. We have now decided to put my name on the Deeds of the house; but the bank have sent a letter to state that they will not do the Transfer of equity. What do I do now.?? Please advise.Could I still get my name on the Deeds. if my husband is the only person on the mortgage. Please advise.

Madclanf 24/09/2011 at 5:38 pm

My sisters (2) and I have inherited our late father's house in Scotland recently. The property is mortgage free and we intend to allow my neice to occupy the house in the short term whilst we decide on a course of action.

I am the principal executor of my father's will and my older sister is the substitute executor. This was done in this way as I frequently travel and I am not always available. It was my father's intention that either myself or my elder sister could administer the estate upon his death.

I have just been informed that if I want to pass on the powers of principal executor to my sister, I should expect to pay around 6 to 7 hundred pounds for this facility to be legally effected. This seems extreme especially as all we want to do is obtain the title deeds for the house.

We are expecting to pay around 180 pounds for the legal fees involved in obtaining the release of the title deeds but we did not expect to pay a further charge to transfer the powers to my sister.

I have 2 questions here -

1. Is this charge of 6 or 7 hundred pounds the 'norm' ?
2. Do we have to use a solicitor to obtain the title deeds of a property in Scotland ?

Dee 20/09/2011 at 9:06 pm

My husband died over 2 years ago. I rang the bank who we have the mortgage with to inform them. I specifically asked about his name being removed from the deeds. I as told not worry Mrs. we'll sort all that our for you. The bank was sent a copy of the death certificate. Now I've applied to the same bank for a remortgage. They said that my husband's name is still on the Deeds and Land Registry so my mortgage application can't be processed. What do I do now?

Pings 14/09/2011 at 4:48 pm

My property is in a terraced block which has a common area across its rear for the use of all tenants. The terms for the use of the common area are detailed in the deeds which we obtained when we purchased the property in 1972. The lessor of the common area changed hands a few years ago. Could the new lessor elect to change the terms of the deeds to alter the nature of the usage?

Sara 13/09/2011 at 12:49 pm

I have recently repaid my mortgage. I've received a letter today from Santander informing me that they need to discharge their interest in my property and given me an option of appointing my own solicitor or using them. What does this involve and how much should it cost me.

They advise that if they haven't heard from me within 7 days they will automatically carry out this work but make no mention of a fee.

Many thanks,

Tyneman 25/08/2011 at 8:52 am

I gave deeds to a solicitor for storage, I worked abroad for five years and on my return found that the solicitors had closed their business. I never recived any correspondence regarding this matter and now I need to sell my property. How do I go about finding the deeds?

Diane 20/08/2011 at 1:52 pm

My sister and I have just inherited my late fathers house and I have grant of probate which confirms as beneficiaries we are the owners. We intend to rent the property once it has been refurbished, do we need to change the name on the deeds and/or register the house if we are not selling it?

Hevsy 12/08/2011 at 4:06 pm

I am in the process of selling my flat that had a deed of variation done 2 owners prior to me buying. This variation joined 2 flats into 1 thereby having 2 leases. I am now being asked by the buyers solicitor that copies of an original single lease done in 1984 needs to be given to them, my solicitor has tried without success to get one from the land registry, but there doesn't seem to be a copy available. I am at a loss that the previous owner who bought the property in 2002 and then me subsequently in 2006 has the flat registered with the variation officially at the land registry and so do I, but the solicitor will not accept an indemnity policy which my solicitor has put to her, and insists that we need to surrender all leases in the property (8 flat in total) and re -do them before the sale can be completed. Is this standard practice, or is this a stalling excercise. The buyer is still very keen to buy, but we are now in our 10th week of the process.

eggie 09/08/2011 at 2:35 pm

If my mortgage lender "sells" the mortgage note to another lender, does he need to inform me? and is there any time limit on them to do so?

Gardner Elaine 19/07/2011 at 6:49 pm

Our property was a new build 11 years ago and the title deeds asked for a residents association to be set up. At one time we did have one with minuted meetings but no bank account (also asked for in the deeds) due to ownership changes this slipped. A new owner however is now threatening legal action if we do not comply. There are only 5 houses in the street. Can we be held liable and what sanctions are there. An association is now not feasible due the the bullying nature of this man.

ROVERS77 21/06/2011 at 5:42 pm

How do I go about changing my deeds from a joint ownership to a single ownership and will this cost very much there is no outstanding mortage on the property?

joey 07/06/2011 at 11:14 am

I have just paid off my 25 yr term Mortgage today and have been informed by Alliance-Leicester that under Scottish Law I now need to appoint a solicitor to release the building society's (hold) on my property. Earlier this year I was sent all my deeds and documents by A-Leic ie Land Certificate and Charge Certificate by Land Register of Scotland. Why do I now have to contact a solicitor as I have fully repaid my mortgage? What other interest do the Building Society have on my property.? I am confused?? I stay in Scotland.

rondeval 17/03/2011 at 10:11 am

This is the answer I expected. However a friend of mine who has just settled his mortgage asked for his deeds back and was told that nowadays paper copies of deeds were no longer retained by mortgage lenders and that armed with the title number he could look at the data online and/or request copies from HM Land Registry. So who is right?

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