Title deeds: What are Land Registry title deeds?

Title deeds - also known as property deeds are a set of documents that establish who owns a property. Think of them as your property’s official identity papers.

• Documents can include:
• Proof of ownership
• Legal documents (mortgages, conveyances, some contracts)
• Property details (such as boundaries)
• Title plan
• Title registers

For most properties in England and Wales, this information is now stored digitally by the HM Land Registry rather than as physical paper documents. Documents stored by the Land Registry are not the original documents, but more on this later.

Property title deeds prove who owns a property – plain and simple. They’re documents that confirm you legally own your property and detail everything that comes with it.

When you sell your property, you need your title deeds to prove that you’re the owner. Your conveyancer or solicitor will draw up a contract to transfer ownership of the property. When the sale has been completed, the buyer’s conveyancer will register the new owner with the Land Registry.

Title deeds can also be used when resolving disputes, such as whether a neighbour can use your driveway or where your boundaries end.