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HM Land Registry is a non-ministerial department (created in 1862) that registers the ownership of property and land in England and Wales.
This section explains how to register with HMLR for first time, the process for transferring ownership, and how to change your details on the register.
Even though you can sell an unregistered dwelling, you need to register all land and property with HM Land Registry any time you:
As a rule, there is no need to register leasehold land or property with no more than seven (7) years on the lease at the time you take ownership of it.
But, owning agricultural land means you would need to register land with the Rural Land Register as well as HM Land Registry.
Furthermore, owning an unmortgaged property before 1990 means it may not be registered. You can search for property information from HM Land Registry to find out.
The section below explains how to register property with HM Land Registry (HMLR) if you transfer the ownership of a registered property to another person.
Once you have gone through the process of registering with HM Land Registry they will go ahead and publish certain information online that people can view, including:
This is a mandatory service. Hence, you cannot opt out of the information being published by HM Land Registry about your property.
Note: A help guide about registering land or property with HM Land Registry is also available in Welsh language (Cofrestru tir neu eiddo gyda Chofrestrfa Tir EM).
It is possible for land and property to be 'unregistered' when you take ownership of it or you secure a mortgage on it. If so, you must make a first time registration with HM Land Registry.
Even when it is not a legal requirement, making a voluntary registration provides you with some official proof of ownership, and it:
A conveyancer or a solicitor can register land or property with HM Land Registry on your behalf. Or, follow these simple steps if you want to do it yourself:
You would need to include form TR1 to transfer an unregistered property which is to be registered for the first time if you bought the property.
But, if you inherited the property, you would need to include (either):
In some cases, the supporting documentation that you may need to send might also include:
Note: In some situations, you can request an expedite (e.g. ask HM Land Registry to fast track your application) where a delay would cause certain types of problems.
There are several reasons why you might want to transfer ownership of your property. Typical examples include adding a partner as a joint owner or transferring it into the name of another person.
As a result, you would need to inform HM Land Registry any time you change registered owners, by:
You must keep your contact details with HM Land Registry accurate and up to date. This section explains how to tell HMLR about a change in the register (e.g. updating or correcting your contact address).
HM Land Registry allows you to register up to three (3) addresses per property. It can include an email address as well as non-UK addresses.
You can update the contact address of any registered owners and agents using form (COG1). There is no charge for this service.
If you change your name you will need to send notification to HM Land Registry about the changes. But, there is no charge to change your name on the register.
The documents you send to prove your name has changed will determine which process to follow. Even so, HMLR will return any official certificates that you send in after they update the register.
Use application form AP1 if you are using (any):
Unless you use a conveyancer or a solicitor to send your certificate you will need to send further proof. Hence, when sending from AP1, you should also include (both):
You can use form CNG to update your name as a registered owner in the land register if you have changed your gender. You would need to have a (any):
Send the form and relevant document to the address written on the application. Remember, you need to use the originals, they will not accept copies.
Some situations call for a return to an original surname (e.g. following a divorce or the dissolution of a civil partnership). In this case, you should send:
HM Land Registry would get in touch with you if they are going to need any further information or supporting documentation.
In general, previous names can still be seen on documents filed with HM Land Registry before making a name change.
Check out the guidance on exempting documents from the general right to inspect and copy (PG57) for further information.
HM Land Registry would need to know any time an existing mortgage on a registered property gets paid off (e.g. mortgage completion).
As a rule, mortgage lenders will conduct this service by automatic process. Even so, they may ask you to fill out a 'cancellation of entries for lenders (DS1)' form. Following this, send HMLR (both):
HM Land Registry
Citizen Centre
PO Box 74
Gloucester
GL14 9BB
Registering Land and Property in the United Kingdom