Having the correct documents to buy or sell a property in the UK is critical.
The TR1 form is not the most well-known document.
But it is an important one to complete.
Below we have explained what the TR1 form is, and whether you can complete it yourself.
What is a TR1 form?
A TR1 form is a formal document for the UK Land Registry. It transfers ownership of a property from one party to another.
Is is essential for all kinds of property ownership transfers. This includes regular house sales and transfers of property to family members.
In residential property transactions, sellers’ solicitors or conveyancers usually complete it.
The seller themselves only needs to provide a signature.
The work involved in completing a TR1 form is usually part of the fee of a solicitor or conveyancer. It is rarely quoted as a separate cost.
It is sent alongside an AP1 form, which is the application for registering property deed changes.
Why a TR1 form matters
A TR1 form is valuable for the Land Registry.
It ensures that there is a central, up-to-date repository of the correct title deeds. This ensures that title deeds are not lost, altered or stolen by individuals.
Before your solicitor submits a TR1 form, they will usually do two things:
- Check whether the property has already been registered with the Land Registry
- Check what is in the register and confirm the details.
When do you need to complete a TR1 form?
The TR1 form needs to be completed before completion day.
So, when property ownership transfers over, not on the contract exchange day. (These two events don’t usually take place on the same day).
What information is in a TR1 form?
A standard TR1 form in the UK provides the following information:
- Title numbers
- Property
- Date
- The transferor
- The transferee
- Address
- Consideration
- Title guarantees
- Declaration of Trust
- Other provisions
- Execution (i.e. signing the deeds).
Some forms include sections and details beyond the above. So, you should not view this list as exhaustive.
Supporting documents to send with the TR1 form
When a TR1 form is sent to the Land Registry, you will also need to include:
- A certificate of identity
- An AP1 or FR1 form
- A stamp duty certificate.
Can you complete a TR1 form yourself?
Yes, you can sometimes complete a TR1 form by yourself.
There is nothing to stop you from doing so. But you should think carefully before taking this route – it is not recommended…
But mortgage lenders sometimes insist on qualified legal help for TR1 forms. In these instances, you have no choice but to bring in a solicitor or conveyancer to help you do this.
And without any prior legal experience, you are more likely to make mistakes on the form. To avoid this, you should hire a solicitor or conveyancer with expertise in this area.
When you submit a TR1 form, there is a land registry fee payable with the application.
How much does a conveyancer charge for a TR1 form?
The work of completing a TR1 form is usually part of the fee a conveyancer or solicitor charges. It is rarely quoted as a separate cost.
How can I get a TR1 form?
If you have decided to complete the TR1 form yourself, you can download a copy of it from the UK government website. At the time of writing, this is free to do.
How long does a TR1 form take to process?
The Land Registry usually has a backlog of cases.
This means that your TR1 form is unlikely to be processed immediately.
In some cases, it can take weeks – or even months – for this.
