Voluntary First Registration

What is Voluntary First Registration?

Voluntary First Registration is the process by which a property owner proactively registers their unregistered land with the Land Registry, thereby establishing legal ownership and simplifying future transactions.

Benefits of First Registration:

Legal Certainty: First registration provides a definitive record of ownership, offering legal certainty and protection against claims of adverse possession.

Simplified Transactions: Registered land has a clear title, making future transactions, such as sales or mortgages, more straightforward and less time-consuming.

Protection Against Fraud: Registration helps protect against property fraud by providing a public record of ownership.

Access to Indemnity: The Land Registry offers indemnity insurance, which can compensate for losses if errors in the register affect ownership.

Dangers of Unregistered Land:

Uncertain Ownership: Without registration, proving ownership can be difficult, leading to potential disputes or challenges.

Complex Transactions: Transactions involving unregistered land can be more complex and lengthy, as they require extensive investigation of historical deeds.

Increased Risk of Fraud: Unregistered land is more susceptible to fraud, as there is no official record of ownership.

Potential for Adverse Possession: Unregistered land is more vulnerable to claims of adverse possession, where someone may claim ownership by occupying the land for a certain period.

Overall, first registration provides security and clarity, reducing the risks associated with unregistered land.

What work we will undertake for you?

During the first registration process, we will undertake several key tasks to ensure a smooth and accurate registration of your property:

Examine Title Deeds: We will thoroughly review your title deeds and any other relevant documents to establish a clear history of ownership.

Conduct Searches: We will carry out necessary searches to identify any rights, restrictions, or interests affecting the property.

Prepare Application: We will prepare and submit the application for first registration to the Land Registry, ensuring all required information and documentation are included.

Resolve Queries: We will address any queries or requisitions raised by the Land Registry during the registration process.

Provide Updates: We will keep you informed throughout the process, providing updates on the progress of your application.

Secure Title: Once registration is complete, we will provide you with the official title documents, confirming your ownership and the property's registered status.

By managing these tasks, we ensure that your property is accurately registered, providing you with legal certainty and protection.

Work expected to be carried out in this transaction but not included.

During the first registration process, it is necessary to provide the Land Registry with a valuation of the property. However, we do not conduct property valuations ourselves. We advise that you contact a qualified valuer to obtain an accurate assessment of your property's value, which can then be submitted as part of the registration application. This ensures that the valuation is professionally conducted and meets the requirements of the Land Registry.

Time Frame

For a first registration, we aim to prepare and submit the application to the Land Registry within one month of receiving your instructions. Once the application is submitted, the Land Registry's processing times can vary, and it may take up to 18 months to complete the registration. However, this extended timeframe is generally not an issue, as the property can still be dealt with during this period. If there is a specific need to expedite the process, such as an impending sale or mortgage, we can request the Land Registry to prioritise the application to ensure it is processed more quickly.

Fees

The fee for a standard First Registration is £500.00 + VAT (£600.00 inc VAT)

*These fees could increase if the complexity of the matter turns out to be above the standard conveyancing procedure. We will discuss, if relevant, any increase in fee with you prior to undertaking additional work. Additional work will be carried out at our standard rates.