Land Registry

[L1OFF]

My ex wife passed away a couple of weeks ago, the house was on the land register as Joint Tenants so under the survivorship rule the ownership passes to me. The house is 2hrs or so from where I currently live (I'd bought another house) which is a bit of a pain but my 2 sons have been helping out. The house needs a bit of TLC which we are doing with a view to putting on the market, We received the death certificate so sent it of with the completed DJP form and received an acknowledgment from the land registry with an estimated time to complete the change February 2027. So 6 months to update a register and the house cannot be sold until this is done.

[OutInTheShed]

L1OFF said:

My ex wife passed away a couple of weeks ago, the house was on the land register as Joint Tenants so under the survivorship rule the ownership passes to me. The house is 2hrs or so from where I currently live (I'd bought another house) which is a bit of a pain but my 2 sons have been helping out. The house needs a bit of TLC which we are doing with a view to putting on the market, We received the death certificate so sent it of with the completed DJP form and received an acknowledgment from the land registry with an estimated time to complete the change February 2027. So 6 months to update a register and the house cannot be sold until this is done.

That's UK bureaucracy these days, they could have done the job in the time it took them to tell you they are too busy to do the job.

Sadly, it's not just the public sector.

[Blib]

I think that there's an HM Registry fast-track or Expedite service. But, you have to jump through some hoops.

AI may be your friend with this.....

[L1OFF]

I was under the impression that the UK had a housing shortage and I keep seeing things about downsizing from a family size house (which this is, 3 bed semi, nice area etc) and here is one that maybe empty for sometime and requiring numerous visits to check on it.

[DKL]

This is a different situation granted but we had to have a number of LR updates and changes done when we bought our last house and as these changes were holding up the sale LR expedited it.
Bearing in mind how long it can take to complete on a house I'd be inclined to get an EA involved and get the house listed and potentially sold to both limit the wait and if necessary chivvy the LR.

[Nicetobenice]

L1OFF said:

I was under the impression that the UK had a housing shortage and I keep seeing things about downsizing from a family size house (which this is, 3 bed semi, nice area etc) and here is one that maybe empty for sometime and requiring numerous visits to check on it.

A solicitor can deal with this so there shouldn't be an unnecessary delay

[chip*]

I encountered a similar admin issue with LR earlier this year.
I heard zilch after 4 months waiting to remove a charge on my property (post divorce settlement), so I decided to call LR. I managed to get through who informed that my file was scheduled to be reviewed 11months from the initial submission!! I explained the delay was unacceptable as I couldn't sell or mortgage my property with the charge in place. Fortunately, the lady kindly accepted my explanation and she would expedite my file for action within 4 weeks (it was resolved within this timeframe). Maybe worth giving LR a call and a nudge?

[TorqueVR]

We have the same problem. My wife and I applied in March to change the names on the deeds of two properties and we were advised my our solicitor yesterday the land registry have said they will take until next February

[droopsnoot]

chip* said:

so I decided to call LR. I managed to get through who informed that my file was scheduled to be reviewed 11months from the initial submission!!

Around 12 months ago, I sent the completed forms to my solicitor to transfer my late parents house into my name. About 1 month ago, the LR queried the spelling of my father's middle name on some of the documents I sent as it wasn't consistent. It does seem that around 11 months is how quickly they do things, I don't know whether my case will take another 11 months now I've answered the query. Of course, I do wonder why my solicitor didn't check the documentation and anticipate the problem beforehand, perhaps including a covering note, but that's another story.

[JD]

TorqueVR said:

We have the same problem. My wife and I applied in March to change the names on the deeds of two properties and we were advised my our solicitor yesterday the land registry have said they will take until next February

Did the same here, was told as it’s not to do with a house sale then expect for it to take up to a year for the deeds to be actually updated

[LordGrover]

It can be a little hit & miss.

My solicitor who did the AP1 for me said it would take 3 months to a year once submitted.

I called the Land Registry to confirm receipt after ten days, and it was complete. Received in post next day.

[Sheepshanks]

L1OFF said:

So 6 months to update a register and the house cannot be sold until this is done.

I genuinely don't know the answer to this, but is that correct?

As ownership automatically passes upon the death of one the tenants I'd have expected a solicitor could deal with it all at once upon the sale of the house (but I could be way off).

[NDA]

Does it take that long when you buy a house - that's a transfer of title?

[L1OFF]

Just had a a chat with a local estate agent. He said if it goes on the market mid September the legal processes will take it to Jan 27 so not really far of the LR date. Makes sense so worrying about nothing. Thanks for the responses chaps.