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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.

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

Thank you for everything ! Excellent service & a pleasure to deal with. Would highly recommend. - July 2025
A Woodhead, Bradford
Thanks for your help, friendliness clear and prompt communication, it gave us confidence and helped the legal aspect of our process feel in a safe pair of hands. - July 2025
L Whitaker, Leeds
Overall, the service we have received has been excellent. We would highly recommend you to others. We will definitely use you again. - July 2025
D Wilkinson, Leeds
I was recommended Sidraa Razak, Winston solicitors for my house conveyancing. I found the service I received was excellent. Sidraa and Tom were communicative, responsive, and thorough. I found them friendly and supportive throughout the ups and downs of what can be a stressful time. Thank you
Diane
Very happy with the service
Jonathan
We used Wintson Solicitors for the purchase of our first home. The process was well explained and done quickly by Michelle. The rest of the team were also really quick to answer and help when Michelle was not available.
Anonymous
I decided to use Winston Solicitors's by recommendation from a work colleague who was impressed by their service. I was selling and buying a property and the the whole process was extremely efficient, and not at all as stressful as I had imagined it to be. Emails were quickly responded to and any queries by phone were answered straight away. Big thanks to Leasa and the team for their excellent service.
Anonymous
Tom and Sidra were both super helpful and avaialble at all times, competent and always there to address any concerns I had ,really enjoyed working with them both and would recommned them to my firends and family - March 2025
S Khan, Leeds
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