By law, you must register all land or property in your name with Land Registry if:

• you’ve bought it
• it’s been given to you
• you’ve taken over the ownership from someone else (eg you’ve inherited a property)

Most people use a solicitor or conveyancer to register, but you can do it yourself.

You may also need to register land that you lease, especially if there are 7 or more years left on the lease. Find out more or contact Land Registry if you aren't sure.

Most people use a solicitor or conveyancer to do this when they buy or inherit a property. However, you can do this yourself.

Lodging a voluntary registration

If any of the original deeds are missing, contact Land Registry for advice.

1. Carry out a search from the Land Charges Department. You can do this using form K15 'Application for an original search' (PDF, 185KB) to search against all previous owners since 1925.

2. Complete form FR1 'Application for first registration' (PDF, 82KB).

3. Enclose the original deeds and documents of title and the Land Charges search results. If it's not already in the deeds, you'll also need to include a plan showing where the land is.

4. You may need to enclose extra forms if you just bought the land, you inherited the land, you're not a legal conveyancer, your property is leasehold, if there are overriding interests in your property or if you've paid Stamp Duty. See below for more information and to download the forms.

5. Fill out 2 copies of the DL form 'List of documents' (PDF, 125KB).

6. Enclose the registration fee - this depends on the value of your property and whether you're registering it voluntarily or not.

7. Send your forms to the appropriate Land Registry office.

If you just bought the land

Follow the same process as above and include a completed form TR1.

Download 'Form TR1 - Transfer of whole of registered title(s)' (PDF, 85KB)

If you inherited the land

Follow the same process as above and include either:

• a completed form AS1
• a completed form TR1

Download 'Form AS1 - Assent of whole of registered title(s) by personal representative(s)' (PDF, 50KB)

Download 'Form TR1 - Transfer of whole of registered title(s)' (PDF, 85KB)

Contact Land Registry to find out which form you need.

Other documents you may need

Depending on your circumstances, you may also need to send:

• form ID1 - you need to provide this as proof of identity if you aren’t a legal conveyancer
• form DI if there are unregistered interests in the property that aren’t mentioned in the deeds (eg a short-term lease or a right of occupation) - find out more from the Land Registry
• a Land Transaction Return certificate from HMRC if you’ve paid Stamp Duty
• the original and a copy of the lease, if you’re applying to register leasehold land or property

Download 'Form ID1 - Certificate of identity' (PDF, 62KB)

Download 'Form DI - Disclosable overriding interests' (PDF, 92KB)

Even if you don’t have to register (eg because you bought the property before 1990 when registration became compulsory), you may find it useful to register your property voluntarily, because it:

• shows proof of ownership
• helps to protect your land from fraud
• makes it easier to change ownership

You could get a discount of 25% on the registration fee if you’re registering land or property voluntarily for the first time.

Find out if your property is already registered on the Land Registry website.

If you own a property and want to change its ownership (eg if you’re transferring it into another person’s name, or if you want to add your partner as a joint owner), you need to register this with the Land Registry.

1. Download and fill out form AP1 'Application to change the register' (PDF, 162KB).

2. Fill out either form TR1 'Transfer of whole of registered title(s)' (PDF, 82KB) if you're transferring your whole property or form TP1 'Transfer of part of registered title(s)' (PDF, 101KB). if you're only transferring part of your property.

3. If you're not a legal conveyancer, you need to enclose form ID1 'Certificate of identity for a private individual' (PDF, 62KB).

4. Enclose the appropriate fee.

5. Use Land Registry's office finder to find out where to send your forms.

You’re likely to be at risk if:

• your property's mortgage has been paid off
• your property is empty or you’re letting it
• you’re abroad, absent, ill or in a care home

There are several things you can do to protect your property from fraud.

Register your property

Not all properties are registered, as registration hasn’t always been compulsory. Registering your property:

• provides an official record of who currently owns the land
• means you might be able to get compensation from Land Registry if you suffer a financial loss because of fraud

Keep your details up to date

It’s free to update your contact details. You can register up to 3 addresses (including email) and keep them updated using the form below.

Download 'Updating registered owners' contact address' (PDF, 39KB)

You can also ask your legal adviser if they'll act as a ‘care of' address. This means any letters Land Registry sends to you will also be sent to them.

Put a restriction on your title

A restriction limits the powers of the registered owner to deal with or dispose of a property (eg sell it or use it to raise a mortgage). This could help stop someone forging your signature on a deed to try to defraud you.

Example

If you have an 'LL' restriction on your title, somebody can only register the sale or mortgage of the property if a professional conveyancer certifies that they’re the owner.

Speak to a legal adviser about putting a restriction on the title.

What to do about property fraud

If you're worried you may be the victim of property fraud, contact Land Registry immediately. You should also get legal advice and contact the police.

The Land Registry only deals with land and property in England and Wales.

Scotland

Register your land or property with Registers of Scotland.

Northern Ireland

Land & Property Services handles registration and other property services in Northern Ireland.