Land Registry Title Check Before Selling: What to Look For

Your property title is the legal record of your ownership. It is held by HM Land Registry, which maintains a register of more than 26 million titles covering the vast majority of land and property in England and Wales. When you sell, the buyer's solicitor will examine your title in detail as part of their conveyancing enquiries. Any issues they find will generate additional questions, requests for documentation, or requirements for indemnity insurance — all of which take time.

The smart approach is to check your title yourself before you put your property on the market. This guide explains how to obtain your official copies, what each section of the title register shows, what problems to look for, and how to resolve the most common title defects.

What are official copies?

Official copies are the definitive, Land Registry-issued documents that prove the current state of your title. There are two main documents you need:

Official copy of the title register. This is a text document that records the legal details of your ownership. It is divided into three sections (covered in detail below) and includes your title number, the date of the most recent entry, and the class of title you hold.
Official copy of the title plan. This is a map based on Ordnance Survey data that shows the general position and extent of the land included in your title. The property boundary is shown with red edging. Additional features such as rights of way may be marked in other colours.

You may also need copies of documents referred to in the register, such as a transfer deed, a conveyance, or the text of a restrictive covenant. These are known as filed documents and can be ordered separately.

How to get official copies

There are two ways to obtain official copies of your title:

Online (quickest and cheapest)

The fastest way to get your official copies is through the HM Land Registry portal at gov.uk. You do not need an account to search and download documents. The process is straightforward:

Go to the “Search the register” service on GOV.UK.
Search for your property by postcode or address, or by title number if you know it.
Select your property from the results.
Choose whether to download the title register, the title plan, or both.
Pay £3 per document by debit or credit card.
Download the PDF documents immediately.

Total cost for both the title register and title plan is £6. Copies of filed documents (such as a transfer deed or the wording of a restrictive covenant referred to in the register) cost £3 each.

By post

You can apply by post using form OC1 (for register entries and title plans) or form OC2 (for copies of filed documents). Post applications cost more and take longer — typically five to ten working days. For most sellers checking their title before a sale, the online route is far more practical.

Understanding the title register: the three sections

Every title register in England and Wales is divided into three sections, each serving a distinct purpose. Understanding what each section contains will help you spot issues that could affect your sale.

A: The property register

The property register describes the land and property included in the title. It contains:

The postal address of the property (or a description if there is no postal address).
A reference to the title plan, which shows the extent of the land on a map.
Whether the title is freehold or leasehold.
Any rights that benefit the property, such as a right of way over a neighbouring property or a right to use a shared driveway.
For leasehold titles, the term of the lease (for example, 125 years from 1 January 2000) and any key provisions.

What to check: Make sure the description matches your property. If you have extended the building, added a garage, or acquired additional land since the property was last registered, the property register may not reflect this. Check that any rights you rely on (such as a right of way or shared access) are actually recorded.

B: The proprietorship register

The proprietorship register records who owns the property. It includes:

The name and address of the registered proprietor (or proprietors, in the case of joint ownership).
The class of title — usually “Title Absolute” for freehold or “Title Absolute” for leasehold. Other classes include “Good Leasehold Title”, “Qualified Title”, and “Possessory Title”, which offer lesser guarantees and may concern a buyer's solicitor.
The price paid on the most recent registered transaction (for titles registered after April 2000).
Any restrictions on the proprietor's ability to deal with the property. Common restrictions include a Form A restriction (requiring two trustees to give a valid receipt, used in joint ownership), a lender's restriction, or a restriction arising from a court order.

What to check: Confirm that your name is spelled correctly and matches your current legal name and ID. If you changed your name after purchasing the property (for example, through marriage or deed poll), the register may still show your former name. Also check for any unexpected restrictions.

C: The charges register

The charges register records any burdens or encumbrances on the property. This is typically the section where the most sale-affecting issues are found. It may include:

Mortgages and charges. Any mortgage secured against the property will be listed here, showing the lender's name and the date the charge was registered. When you sell, your solicitor will use the sale proceeds to repay the mortgage and arrange for the charge to be removed.
Restrictive covenants. These are obligations that restrict how the property can be used — for example, a covenant not to use the property for business purposes, not to build above a certain height, or not to keep certain animals. The register will note the covenant and may refer to a filed document containing the full wording.
Positive covenants. Less common than restrictive covenants, these require the owner to do something, such as maintaining a fence or contributing to the upkeep of a shared road.
Notices. These protect third-party interests in the property. Examples include a notice of a lease, a notice of a home rights registration under the Family Law Act 1996, or a notice protecting an option to purchase.
Cautions. Although the Land Registration Act 2002 largely replaced cautions with notices, some older cautions may still appear on titles. A caution warns that someone claims an interest in the property.

What to check: Look for any entries you do not recognise or that seem out of date. Old mortgages that have been paid off but not removed are a common finding and need to be dealt with before completion.

Understanding the title plan

The title plan is a map showing the extent of the registered land. It is based on the Ordnance Survey map and uses coloured edging and tinting to indicate boundaries and other features:

Red edging shows the general boundary of the property included in the title.
Blue tinting is sometimes used to show land that benefits from rights over other land, or land that is subject to certain provisions.
Green tinting may show land that has been removed from the title (for example, land that was sold off).
Brown tinting can indicate land subject to specific rights or covenants.

It is important to understand that title plan boundaries are general boundaries under Section 60 of the Land Registration Act 2002. This means the red edging shows the approximate position of the boundary, not the exact legal line. If you need to establish an exact boundary, you would need to apply to the Land Registry for a determined boundary under Section 61, which is a separate and more involved process.

What to check: Make sure the title plan includes all the land you believe you own. If you purchased additional land since the property was registered, or if you believe the boundary shown does not match the physical boundary on the ground (such as fences, walls, or hedges), flag this with your solicitor early.

Common title issues that affect sales

When you review your official copies, watch for the following issues. Each of these can generate additional conveyancing enquiries from the buyer's solicitor and may delay the transaction if not addressed early.

Name discrepancies

If the name on the title register does not match your current legal name, the buyer's solicitor will ask for an explanation and evidence of the name change. This commonly arises when:

You married or entered a civil partnership after purchasing the property and changed your surname.
You changed your name by deed poll.
There is a minor spelling error in the register (for example, “Stephen” registered as “Steven”).

How to resolve: Provide your solicitor with evidence of the name change (marriage certificate, decree absolute, or deed poll). They can either update the register before the sale or deal with the discrepancy as part of the TR1 transfer deed.

Old mortgages not removed

When you repay a mortgage, the lender should submit a discharge form (DS1 or electronic e-DS1) to the Land Registry to remove the charge from the register. In practice, this does not always happen. You may find charges on your title from mortgages you paid off years ago, or even from lenders that no longer exist.

How to resolve: Contact the lender and ask them to submit a DS1 to discharge the charge. If the lender has been taken over by another company, contact the successor firm. If the lender no longer exists and cannot be traced, your solicitor can apply to the Land Registry to cancel the charge, supported by evidence that the debt was repaid. This process can take several weeks, so start early.

Restrictive covenants

Restrictive covenants are extremely common and appear in the charges register. Many date back decades and may seem outdated — for example, a covenant not to keep pigs, or a covenant requiring the freeholder's consent before making alterations. The key question is whether the covenant has been breached.

If you have carried out works that may breach a restrictive covenant (for example, building an extension where the covenant prohibits alterations without consent), this will be flagged by the buyer's solicitor. The two main options are:

Obtain retrospective consent from the person or body with the benefit of the covenant (if they can be identified and are willing to grant it).
Obtain indemnity insurance to cover the risk of the covenant being enforced. This is often the most practical solution and is widely accepted by buyers and mortgage lenders.

Missing or unclear easements

An easement is a right over someone else's land, such as a right of way, a right to run services (drains, pipes, cables) through neighbouring land, or a right of access. If your property relies on an easement that is not recorded on the title, the buyer's solicitor will want to understand the position.

How to resolve: If the easement was created by a deed that pre-dates registration, it may be an overriding interest that binds the land even though it is not on the register. Your solicitor can advise on whether this is the case. If the easement does not exist at all, you may need to negotiate a formal grant with the neighbouring landowner or obtain indemnity insurance.

Boundary issues

Because the Land Registry operates a general boundaries system, the title plan does not show exact boundaries. This can lead to disputes where physical boundaries (fences, walls, hedges) do not align with what the title plan appears to show. Boundary issues can be particularly problematic if you have built close to what you believe is the boundary line.

How to resolve: If there is a genuine disagreement with a neighbour, the Land Registry offers a boundary dispute resolution process. If the issue is less about a dispute and more about ambiguity, your solicitor can provide an explanation to the buyer's solicitor, supported by any available evidence (such as the original conveyance plan). In some cases, indemnity insurance can provide cover.

Cautions and notices

A notice or caution on the register protects a third party's claimed interest in the property. Examples include:

A unilateral notice entered by someone who claims a beneficial interest in the property (for example, a former partner).
A home rights notice under the Family Law Act 1996, protecting a spouse's or civil partner's right to occupy the property.
An old caution from before the Land Registration Act 2002 came into force, which may relate to a claim that was never pursued.

How to resolve: The registered proprietor can apply to cancel a unilateral notice using form UN4. The person who entered the notice will be notified and given an opportunity to object. Home rights notices should be cancelled by the person who registered them upon agreement, or by court order. If an old caution is no longer relevant, your solicitor can apply to the Land Registry to have it removed.

Classes of title

When the Land Registry registers a property, it assigns a class of title based on the strength of the evidence of ownership. The class of title appears in the proprietorship register and affects how comfortable a buyer and their lender will be with the title. The main classes are:

Class of title	What it means	Impact on sale
Title Absolute (freehold)	The highest class. The registered proprietor's ownership is guaranteed by the state, subject only to entries on the register and overriding interests.	No issues. This is the standard for most properties.
Title Absolute (leasehold)	The highest class for leasehold. The lease was granted by an identified landlord with good title to grant it.	No issues. Standard for most leasehold properties.
Good Leasehold Title	The Land Registry is satisfied that the lease exists and was validly granted, but has not verified the landlord's title to grant it.	May concern some buyers and lenders. Indemnity insurance is often required.
Qualified Title	The title is subject to a specific defect noted on the register. Rare.	The noted defect will need to be addressed or insured against.
Possessory Title	Granted where ownership is based on adverse possession (squatter's rights) or where the original title deeds have been lost.	Can be upgraded to Title Absolute after 12 years if no adverse claims are made. Indemnity insurance is usually needed in the meantime.

If your property has anything other than Title Absolute, raise this with your solicitor before listing. Your solicitor may be able to apply to upgrade the class of title, or can advise on whether indemnity insurance will satisfy a buyer's lender.

Unregistered land

Although the vast majority of land in England and Wales is now registered at HM Land Registry, some properties remain unregistered. This typically applies to properties that have not been sold, mortgaged, or otherwise dealt with since compulsory registration was introduced in the area. Compulsory registration was rolled out across England and Wales in stages, with the final areas brought in on 1 December 1990.

If your property is unregistered, it will not appear in a Land Registry search. Instead, your ownership is proved by the original title deeds — a bundle of physical documents that trace the chain of ownership. These deeds are usually held by your mortgage lender (if you have a mortgage) or by your solicitor, or they may be in your possession.

First registration on sale

Under the Land Registration Act 2002, a sale of unregistered land is a triggering event that requires the buyer to apply for first registration at the Land Registry within two months of completion. If the buyer fails to register within this period, the legal title reverts to the seller, although the buyer retains an equitable interest that can be protected.

Selling unregistered land is more complex than selling registered land. The buyer's solicitor will need to:

Examine the full chain of title deeds going back at least 15 years (the root of title requirement under Section 44 of the Law of Property Act 1925, as amended).
Carry out additional searches that are not needed for registered land, such as a land charges search at the Land Charges Department in Plymouth.
Prepare for first registration, which involves submitting the deeds and a first registration application (form FR1) to the Land Registry.

If you know your property is unregistered, consider applying for voluntary first registration before you sell. This simplifies the sale process and reduces the risk of delays. The Land Registry currently offers a 25% fee reduction for voluntary first registration applications, making it a cost-effective step. You will need your original title deeds to apply.

How to resolve title defects before selling

Once you have reviewed your official copies and identified any issues, the next step is to resolve them. Here is a practical approach:

Gather your documents early. Collect your title deeds, any deeds of variation, name change evidence, mortgage redemption statements, and planning permissions. Having everything to hand speeds up the resolution of any issues.
Instruct your solicitor promptly. Share your official copies with your solicitor and flag anything that concerns you. They will assess which issues need to be resolved before the sale and which can be dealt with during the conveyancing process.
Contact former lenders. If old mortgages need to be discharged, start the process immediately. Lender response times vary, and some defunct lenders are difficult to trace.
Consider indemnity insurance. For issues that cannot be resolved quickly — such as restrictive covenant breaches, missing easements, or possessory title — indemnity insurance is often the pragmatic solution. Policies are typically inexpensive (often a one-off premium of £20 to £300) and are widely accepted by buyers and lenders.
Update the register if needed. If your name has changed, or if you have acquired additional land, your solicitor can submit the appropriate application to the Land Registry. Note that Land Registry processing times currently vary from a few days for simple updates to several weeks for more complex applications.

What your solicitor does with the title

When you instruct a solicitor to act on your sale, one of their first steps is to obtain and review your official copies. As part of the conveyancing process, your solicitor will:

Confirm that you are the registered proprietor and that your identity matches the register.
Review all entries in the charges register and assess whether any need to be resolved before exchange of contracts.
Prepare the TR1 transfer deed that will transfer ownership to the buyer.
Respond to the buyer's solicitor's enquiries about the title, providing explanations and evidence for any entries that raise questions.
Arrange for the discharge of your existing mortgage on completion.
Ensure that any restrictions on the register are complied with before the transfer is submitted for registration.

Although your solicitor handles all of this, checking your title yourself in advance means you can flag issues early, provide supporting documents proactively, and avoid surprises mid-transaction that could delay the conveyancing timeline.

Cost summary

Document	Cost (online)	Notes
Official copy of the title register	£3	Text document showing ownership, restrictions, and charges
Official copy of the title plan	£3	Map showing the extent of the registered land
Copy of a filed document (e.g. transfer deed, covenant)	£3	Only needed if you want to read a document referred to in the register
Flood risk indicator	Free	Available alongside your title search on GOV.UK

These fees are set by the Land Registration Fee Order and are the same regardless of the value of the property. Your solicitor will also order official copies as part of the conveyancing process, but the small cost of doing it yourself in advance is well worth it for the early visibility it provides.

Seller's title check checklist

Use this checklist to review your official copies systematically before listing your property:

Order official copies of the title register and title plan from the HM Land Registry portal (£6 total)
Check the property register: does the description match your property? Are any rights of way or easements recorded?
Check the proprietorship register: is your name correct and does it match your current ID? Is the class of title “Title Absolute”?
Check the charges register: are there any old mortgages that have been paid off but not removed?
Review any restrictive covenants noted: have you breached any of them (for example, by making alterations without consent)?
Check for notices, cautions, or restrictions you do not recognise
Review the title plan: does the boundary shown match your understanding of your property boundaries?
If you changed your name since purchase, gather evidence (marriage certificate, deed poll)
If your property is unregistered, locate your original title deeds
Share your findings with your solicitor and address any issues before listing

Title defects explained: what blocks a sale

A title defect is any issue with the legal ownership or registered details of a property that could prevent or delay the transfer of ownership to a buyer. Some defects are minor and can be resolved in days; others are more serious and require formal applications, insurance, or legal proceedings. The key is to identify them early so you have time to act before they sit on the critical path of your sale.

Below are the most common title defects sellers encounter, along with the typical route to resolution for each.

Missing or incorrect names

The registered owner's name does not match the seller's current legal identity. This frequently arises after a marriage name change, a deed poll, or the death of a co-owner whose name has not been removed from the register. The buyer's solicitor will require an explanation and supporting evidence before proceeding.

Typical resolution: Provide evidence of the name change (marriage certificate, decree absolute, or deed poll) and either update the register by application to HM Land Registry or include a statutory declaration with the transfer. Where a co-owner has died, a death certificate and, if applicable, a grant of probate will be needed.

Unregistered interests

These are rights that affect the property but have not been noted on the title register. Common examples include easements granted informally (such as a verbal agreement for a neighbour to run a drain under your land), beneficial interests that were never protected by a notice, and rights arising by long use (prescriptive easements). An unregistered interest can surprise a buyer's solicitor and generate additional enquiries.

Typical resolution: If the interest can be evidenced, it may be possible to register it formally by application. Where evidence is limited, a statutory declaration by a person with knowledge of the facts can support the position. Alternatively, indemnity insurance can be obtained to cover the risk.

Boundary discrepancies

The title plan does not match the physical boundaries on the ground. This can happen where fences, walls, or hedges have been moved over time, or where extensions or outbuildings have been constructed close to a boundary line. Because Land Registry title plans show general rather than exact boundaries, minor discrepancies are common, but significant mismatches will concern a buyer's solicitor.

Typical resolution: For minor discrepancies, a solicitor's explanation or a statutory declaration from a long-standing owner may suffice. For more serious issues, an application for a determined boundary under Section 61 of the Land Registration Act 2002 can establish the exact legal line. Indemnity insurance is also available to cover the risk of a boundary dispute.

Outstanding charges

Mortgages, second charges, or charging orders that remain on the title register even though the underlying debt has been repaid. This is surprisingly common — lenders do not always submit a discharge form (DS1 or e-DS1) promptly, and some charges from defunct lenders may have been overlooked for years. A buyer cannot receive clean title until all outstanding charges are removed.

Typical resolution: Contact the lender (or its successor) and request a DS1 discharge. If the lender no longer exists and cannot be traced, your solicitor can apply to the Land Registry to cancel the charge, supported by evidence of repayment. This process can take two to six weeks.

Restrictive covenant breaches

A restrictive covenant imposes limits on how a property can be used or altered. If you have carried out alterations, changed the use, or built a structure that breaches a covenant on the title, the buyer's solicitor will raise it. Even if the covenant is decades old and the beneficiary is unknown, the risk of enforcement must be addressed.

Typical resolution: Obtain retrospective consent from the party with the benefit of the covenant, if they can be identified. Where this is not practical, indemnity insurance is the standard solution and is widely accepted by buyers and mortgage lenders.

Missing leasehold details

For flats and other leasehold properties, the lease terms, ground rent provisions, or landlord details on the title may be incomplete or outdated. This can occur where a freeholder has changed hands without notification, where ground rent reviews have not been reflected on the register, or where the lease itself is not filed at the Land Registry. Incomplete leasehold information will trigger extensive enquiries from the buyer's solicitor.

Typical resolution: Obtain an up-to-date copy of the lease from the landlord or managing agent and provide it to your solicitor. If the lease is already registered but landlord details are out of date, the new freeholder should have registered a notice of their interest. Your solicitor may need to submit a deed of rectification to correct any errors in the registered details.

Possessory title

The Land Registry sometimes registers a property with a lower class of title known as possessory title. This occurs where the original title deeds have been lost or where ownership is based on adverse possession (sometimes called squatter's rights). Possessory title indicates that the ownership history is uncertain, and many mortgage lenders are reluctant to lend against it without additional protection. For more information about selling with missing title deeds, see our dedicated guide.

Typical resolution: After 12 years of unchallenged ownership, you can apply to upgrade possessory title to title absolute. In the meantime, indemnity insurance can bridge the gap and satisfy a buyer's lender.

Most title defects can be resolved, but some take weeks or even months to address — particularly where third parties such as former lenders, freeholders, or neighbouring landowners are involved. Sellers who check their title early give themselves the time to deal with problems on their own schedule, rather than discovering them mid-transaction when every delay risks losing a buyer.

Sources

HM Land Registry — Official copies of register and plan service, GOV.UK
Land Registration Act 2002 — legislation.gov.uk
Land Registration Rules 2003 — legislation.gov.uk
Land Registration Fee Order 2013 (as amended) — legislation.gov.uk
HM Land Registry Practice Guide 2: Official copies — GOV.UK
HM Land Registry Practice Guide 1: First registration — GOV.UK
HM Land Registry Practice Guide 40: General boundaries — GOV.UK
Law of Property Act 1925 — legislation.gov.uk
Family Law Act 1996 — legislation.gov.uk
Law Society Conveyancing Protocol, 5th edition — lawsociety.org.uk

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to get official copies from the Land Registry?

Official copies of the title register and title plan cost £3 each when ordered online through the HM Land Registry portal, so £6 in total for both documents. If you order by post using form OC1, the fee is higher. Your solicitor may charge an additional handling fee on top of the Land Registry fee, but this is a standard disbursement. You can also order copies of documents referred to in the register (such as a transfer deed or restrictive covenant) for £3 each.

How do I check my property title before selling?

You can check your property title by ordering official copies of the title register and title plan from HM Land Registry. The quickest way is through the Land Registry’s online portal at gov.uk. You will need to search for your property by address or title number, then download the official copies for £3 each. Review the property register to check the description matches your property, the proprietorship register to confirm your name is correct, and the charges register for any entries that could cause problems such as old mortgages, restrictive covenants, or cautions.

What is the difference between the title register and the title plan?

The title register is a text document that records who owns the property, how they own it, any charges or mortgages secured against it, and any restrictions or covenants that affect it. It is divided into three sections: the property register, the proprietorship register, and the charges register. The title plan is a map based on Ordnance Survey data that shows the general position and extent of the land included in the title. The title plan uses red edging to indicate the property boundaries, although these boundaries are general rather than exact.

What happens if my name on the title register does not match my ID?

If there is a discrepancy between the name on the title register and your current legal name — for example, due to marriage, divorce, or a deed poll name change — you will need to provide evidence of the name change to your solicitor. Common documents include a marriage certificate, decree absolute, or deed poll. Your solicitor can apply to update the register or deal with the discrepancy as part of the sale by including a statutory declaration or a certified copy of the relevant document with the transfer. It is much better to identify and resolve this before you accept an offer rather than during the conveyancing process.

What is unregistered land and can I sell it?

Unregistered land is property that has not yet been recorded at HM Land Registry. This is relatively uncommon in England and Wales today because most property has been subject to a triggering event (such as a sale or mortgage) since compulsory registration was introduced. However, some properties that have been in the same family for decades without being sold or mortgaged may still be unregistered. You can sell unregistered land, but the buyer’s solicitor will need to examine your original title deeds to prove ownership. The sale itself will trigger compulsory first registration, meaning the buyer must register the property at the Land Registry within two months of completion.

How long does it take to resolve a title defect?

The time to resolve a title defect varies significantly depending on the nature of the problem. A simple name discrepancy can often be resolved in a few days with the right supporting documents. Removing an old mortgage that has been paid off but not formally discharged can take two to six weeks, depending on how quickly the former lender provides the necessary form (a DS1 or e-DS1). More complex issues such as missing easements, disputed boundaries, or adverse possession claims can take several months. Where a defect cannot be resolved quickly, indemnity insurance may be available as a pragmatic alternative that allows the sale to proceed.

What is a restriction on my title and will it stop me selling?

A restriction is an entry in the proprietorship register that limits how the property can be dealt with. Common restrictions include a Form A restriction (which requires any sale proceeds to be paid to at least two trustees, common in joint ownership situations) and a mortgage lender’s restriction. A restriction does not stop you selling, but it means certain conditions must be met before the transfer can be registered. Your solicitor will check all restrictions and ensure compliance as part of the conveyancing process. In most cases, restrictions are routine and do not cause problems, but unusual or unexpected restrictions should be flagged early.

Do I need to check my title if my solicitor will do it anyway?

Your solicitor will review the title as part of the conveyancing process, but there are good reasons to check it yourself before you instruct a solicitor or list your property. Checking your title early gives you time to identify and resolve any issues — such as name discrepancies, unreleased mortgages, or unexpected entries — before they become a source of delay during the sale. It costs just £6 to order both official copies online, and the exercise takes minutes. Problems discovered early can be fixed on your own timeline; problems discovered mid-transaction sit on the critical path and can delay exchange by weeks.

Can I remove a restrictive covenant from my title?

Removing a restrictive covenant is possible but often difficult and time-consuming. You can apply to the Upper Tribunal (Lands Chamber) under Section 84 of the Law of Property Act 1925 to have a covenant modified or discharged, but this is an expensive legal process with no guarantee of success. In practice, most sellers do not attempt to remove restrictive covenants. Instead, if a covenant is potentially problematic — for example, a covenant against alterations where alterations have been carried out — the usual approach is to obtain indemnity insurance to protect the buyer and their lender against the risk of the covenant being enforced. This is typically quicker and cheaper than applying to the Tribunal.

What should I do if there is an old mortgage on my title that has been paid off?

If a mortgage that has been fully repaid still appears in the charges register of your title, you need to have it formally removed. Contact the lender (or their successor if the lender has been taken over or has ceased trading) and ask them to submit a DS1 form or electronic discharge (e-DS1) to the Land Registry. Your solicitor can handle this on your behalf. If the lender no longer exists and cannot be traced, your solicitor may be able to apply to the Land Registry to cancel the charge, supported by evidence that the debt has been paid. This process can take several weeks, so it is best to address it as early as possible.

What you need to know