Unregistered property

Many properties in England and Wales are registered at HM Land Registry, but some are not. Here at Winston Solicitors, we can deal with the conveyancing of both registered and unregistered properties, whether you are buying or selling.

Selling an unregistered property
Buying an unregistered property
Extra costs with unregistered property

How to sell an unregistered property?

You will need to let us know where the unregistered deeds are. If the property is in mortgage, they should be with the lender. If the property is not in mortgage, the deeds may be with another firm of solicitors/conveyancers.
If you do not know where the deeds are, you will need to find out who last held them. If they were held by a firm of solicitors/conveyancers, we can write to that firm to see whether they still hold the deeds.
If the deeds cannot be found, we can obtain copies of any documents from the archives to the former West Riding Deeds Registry. This process can be costly.
We will forward copies of the relevant deeds to your buyer’s solicitors/conveyancers with the draft contract and other papers.
Your buyer’s solicitors/conveyancers will check the title and will raise any relevant queries.

If you are buying an unregistered property

We will check the title documents supplied by your seller’s solicitors/conveyancers and will raise any relevant queries.
If any documents are missing, we will asking for missing information indemnity insurance.
We will register your title at HM Land Registry after completion.

Are there extra costs when dealing with unregistered properties?

The Land Registry fee for “first registrations” is twice as much as their fee for dealing with registered titles. The Land Registry normally takes longer to complete “first registration” applications than applications relating to titles that are already registered.

There is more legal work involved in selling or buying an unregistered property. We charge a supplement to reflect this.

Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) could be payable depending on the purchase price. See our Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) calculator for a guide to this.

With all property transactions it is important to have a will to reflect your wishes.

Client feedback

I was delighted with Michelle's knowledge, timeliness and standard of service. Would happily return for any future conveyancing work

Mr Hughes

I just want to thank Leasa at Winston solicitors. She has been absolutely amazing and I could not reccomend enough. Our emails and phone calls always responded to so quickly and she really pushed our sale through I believe if it wasn’t for her we would still be in the process of moving now. Being first time buyers we were a-bit clueless but leasa explained everything so well. I would 10000% use Winston solicitors again and reccomend to anyone and everyone.

Maisi

I would like to express my sincere appreciation for the outstanding service provided by Winston Solicitors. From the very beginning, their professionalism, dedication, and commitment to supporting me throughout the entire process were clearly evident.One of the aspects I valued the most was their constant support and availability whenever I needed guidance. The team was always approachable, patient, and willing to explain every step in a clear and reassuring manner. This made what could have been a stressful process much easier to manage.Their communication was excellent throughout. I consistently received timely responses, clear explanations, and regular updates about the progress of my case. I never felt uncertain about what was happening, as they made sure I was well informed at every stage. This level of transparency gave me a great deal of confidence and peace of mind.I was also particularly impressed by their efficient use of modern software systems to keep clients updated. The ability to track progress and receive notifications made the entire process smooth, organised, and convenient. It clearly shows their commitment to using technology to improve client experience and ensure everything moves forward efficiently.Another key strength was their support in decision making in my difficult situation. They took the time to carefully explain the available options, outline the possible outcomes, and provide professional advice that helped me make informed decisions. Their guidance was invaluable and demonstrated both their expertise and genuine commitment to achieving the best possible outcome for their clients.Overall, I am extremely satisfied with the service I received from Winston Solicitors. Their professionalism, clear communication, regular updates, and client-focused approach truly set them apart. I would highly recommend their services to anyone looking for reliable, supportive, and efficient legal representation. I am haviing a good propery my own becouse of Winston Solicitors

Mrs Varghese

Leasa was fantastic, she always responded quickly to emails and kept us fully informed throughout the process. I wouldn't hesitate to use Winston Solicitors again for future house sales/purchases.

Amy

I would like to sincerely thank Winston Solicitors for their excellent support and professionalism. Their team was very helpful, understanding, and supportive throughout the whole process.I truly appreciate the time and effort they gave to my case, and they always communicated clearly and respectfully. I felt confident knowing my matter was in good hands.I highly recommend Winston Solicitors to anyone looking for reliable and professional legal support. Thank you again for everything.

Yemane

Excellent customer service, prompt replies to queries and we were kept fully up to date on the whole process. Would highly recommend.

John

Very helpful and responsive on our house sale. Always easy to get hold of and converse with a real person. Also competitively priced. Would definitely use them again and would recommend.

Clare

Our experience with Winston Solicitors during the sale of our family home was excellent. Communication was smooth and given this was our first time selling they were on hand to guide us throught he process. We would highly recommend them for anyone considering.

David