By Katherine Price, Property Paralegal

What are title deeds?

Title deeds are paper documents showing the chain of ownership for land and property. They can include:

• Conveyances
• Contracts for sale
• Wills
• Mortgages
• Leases

Where are my title deeds?

HM Land Registry store digital records of title deeds.

Generally, HM Land Registry only have the original title deeds when land or property is registered for the first time, you may also find original deeds in one of your cupboards. This is usually a sign that your property or land has not been registered.

If you are trying to locate your original deeds, they could be with the solicitor who acted for you when you bought the property, or possibly with your mortgage company if you have a mortgage (this option is becoming less likely, but it is always worth checking).

If you are purchasing a registered property, you may not receive deeds on completion. HM Land Registry will have all the deeds related to the property on their digital system. When the time comes for you to the sell the property, the solicitor acting on your behalf will obtain the deeds via the Land Registry digital portal.

What happens on completion?

Once the matter has completed, we will attend to the post completion registration. This is an application to change the register. This is simply removing the seller’s name from the title and replacing it with your name(s).

Once this application has been completed, you will receive a copy of the newly updated register, showing you as the new proprietor.

For a quote to buy or sell property please contact Katherine in our Property Team on 01630 652405 or katherine@onionsanddavies.co.uk