How to check if your property is unregistered

The short answer

The only certain way to know is to search HM Land Registry. But before you do, a few signals strongly suggest a property may be unregistered:

You’ve owned it since before around 1990
You’ve never sold, mortgaged or remortgaged it during your ownership
Your proof of ownership is a bundle of old paper deeds, not a Land Registry ‘title’ document

How to confirm it

Registration became compulsory across England and Wales by the end of 1990, so most properties that have changed hands since are registered. If yours hasn’t had a “trigger event” since then, it may still be unregistered. A search of HM Land Registry’s index will confirm whether a registered title exists for the address.

How to confirm it for certain

You can obtain title information from HM Land Registry via GOV.UK for a small fee (currently £3 per document). If no title is returned, the property is very likely unregistered — and a specialist can confirm it and the right route when you enquire.

Make an enquiry

Questions

Frequently asked

Can I search HM Land Registry myself?

Yes — you can search online via GOV.UK for a small fee to obtain title information. If no title is returned for the property, that points to it being unregistered — and a specialist can confirm it when you enquire.

Roughly how much land is still unregistered?

Around 13–15% of land in England and Wales remains unregistered with HM Land Registry — a large but shrinking share, as trigger events gradually bring properties onto the register.

Next step

Turn the reading into a plan

Make an enquiry and we’ll set out your options and the right route — no obligation.

Make an enquiry How it works

No obligation. We respond within 2 hours during business hours and confirm a specialist solicitor within 24 hours.