How Can I Find the Deeds to My House

Finding the deeds to your house in the UK can help you confirm legal ownership, understand property boundaries, and review any restrictions or covenants attached to the land. While paper title deeds are no longer strictly required for registered properties, they can still be useful documents. Whether you are selling, remortgaging or simply curious, knowing where to find them is a practical step in managing your property.

Understanding What Title Deeds Are

Title deeds are legal documents that show ownership of land and property. They may also contain details of past ownership, rights of way, covenants and conditions affecting the property. In England and Wales, the Land Registry holds the official record of ownership for registered properties, meaning you no longer need to keep original paper deeds to prove ownership. However, for older or unregistered properties, the original deeds may still be vital.

Start With the Land Registry

If your home is registered with HM Land Registry, you can obtain an official copy of the title register. This document shows the legal owner, the title number, the address of the property and any rights or restrictions. It usually costs £3 for the register and an additional £3 for the title plan. If your property is not registered, you will need to rely on the original title deeds as proof of ownership.

Ask Your Mortgage Lender or Solicitor

If you bought your property with a mortgage, the lender may have held onto the original paper deeds. Some lenders return them to the homeowner once the mortgage is paid off, while others retain them in storage. If you are unsure who your solicitor was at the time of purchase, you may be able to find this information from your mortgage documents, bank records or by asking your lender directly. Solicitors and conveyancers often store original deeds for several years after a property transaction, especially if they helped with the legal process.

Check Your Own Files and Paperwork

If you bought the house outright or paid off your mortgage many years ago, it is possible the deeds were sent to you and are already in your possession. Look through old property files, strongboxes or safes at home, particularly if you were involved in the purchase or mortgage settlement. Deeds are sometimes stored alongside copies of your sale contract or original mortgage offer.

Unregistered Properties

If your property is unregistered, the title deeds are essential. These may be held by a solicitor, previous owner or bank. If you cannot locate them, you may need to go through an official process to reconstruct title, which usually involves submitting alternative documentation such as a statutory declaration and evidence of ownership over a period of years. This process can lead to a possessory title being granted.

Contact HM Land Registry for Help

If you are unsure whether your house is registered, HM Land Registry offers an online search tool. You can input your property address or postcode to check whether the title is recorded. If it is, you can download the documents instantly. If not, you may need to register it voluntarily, especially if you plan to sell or remortgage.

What If You Have Lost the Deeds

If you believe the deeds are lost and your home is unregistered, you will need to make an application to register the property using Form FR1 and submit evidence to support your claim of ownership. This might include old mortgage statements, property tax bills or utility records that show long-term occupation and maintenance. Legal advice may be required for complex cases.

Conclusion

To find the deeds to your house, begin by checking with the Land Registry to see if the property is registered. If it is, the official title register and plan serve as legal proof of ownership. If not, the original paper deeds may be held by your mortgage lender, solicitor or in your own possession. For unregistered properties, recovering or replacing deeds may require legal steps and supporting evidence. Understanding where your deeds are and what they contain is a sensible part of managing your property, especially if you plan to sell, transfer or develop it in future.