Land Registry First Registrations

Do you own or are looking to purchase land which is unregistered with HM Land Registry? Our expert conveyancers can help you.

Unregistered land can often bring about unforeseen legal issues however when it comes to first registrations our vast experience will ensure that the land is registered properly with Land Registry in both a professional and timely manner. Your assigned conveyancer will keep you informed of the registration process from start to finish and inform you of all known costs along the way.

Types of Registrations

The first registration of an area of land can come about for any number of reasons including a purchase, remortgage, and transfer of equity or inheritance. The type of registration can then fall under two broad categories, compulsory and voluntary.

Compulsory First Registrations

If a previously unregistered property is now transferred purchased or mortgaged, it will be necessary to register the property at the Land Registry.

Voluntary Registrations

If you own land which is unregistered then it is possible for you to apply to the Land Registry to register the land. Doing so would provide you with the benefits listed below.

Benefits of first registration

Security - a registered title is guarenteed by the state. It sets out a description of the land, the owner and the rights and obligations that affect the land. It also includes an up-to-date plan of the property based on the latest Ordnance Survey Map.
Squatters/Adverse Possession - the owner of the registered land is much better protected against squatters or encroaching neighbours claiming ownership, than the owner of unregistered land.
Difficulty in proving title - evidence of title can no longer be lost. Whilst the Land Registry will accept a statutory declaration evidencing your ownership in the event that the deeds to the land/property are lost, this may not provide for all the rights to which you are entitled, and unless you have been in posession of the land for a significant amount of time, then a statutory declaration may not even be sufficient and therefore you may not be able to prove ownership to your land. You may also have to pay for an insurance policy as additional security to the statutory declaration.
Convenience - all records of registered land are kept at the Land Registry, as mentioned above. Including all copies of documents that affect the land. Old deeds are less likely therefore to be needed for future transactions.
Proof of ownership - registration simplifies the conveyancing process, as a buyer can easily obtain an official copy of the register and title plan as proof of title at any time.
Future sale - potential purchasers are likely to expect the land to be registered and sales of registered land are much quicker and more straightforward from a title perspective and usually cheaper.