Application status

We're looking to buy an unregistered freehold property for which the vendor states that have lost the deeds. The property is being sold by an estate (with probate granted).

The agent informs us that the application for possesory title was submitted on the 14th July 2025 under reference numbers IW96133 and LC17785.

Can you confirm the status of the application, and any circumstances that would prevent the application being expedited once the memorandum of sale is issued?

Could you also let us know whether this could be upgraded to absolute title? The previous owners lived at the address for more than 15 years, paying council tax and utilities.

Chris - the application was submitted on 14th July and is waiting to be processed
Expedition can be requested once a buyer is confirmed - Request an expedite - GOV.UK 
Such applications are invariably granted possessory title which can then be updated at a later date 
First registration of title if deeds are lost or destroyed (PG2) - GOV.UK and
Upgrading the class of title (PG42) - GOV.UK 
Living at the address for more than 15 years and paying council tax/utilities gets them to the possessory title stage

Thank you very much, that's very helpful.

I understand HMLR does not hold historic deeds. Would it be possible that the house was registered for Land Charges or such before, and if so, would that still make this registration a first?

Asking as it is not a new build, it may well be Victorian/ Edwardian.

Chris - Land Charges don't register a property or owner. They are for third party interests so for example a mortgage against an unregistered property
The fact that it was unregistered makes it a first registration
IW96133

Hi Adam, 

Hi Chris - it has been completed and given absolute title. That simply means that we have awarded absolute title based on the evidence provided. It doesn't mean the original deeds have been found. Do speak to your legal rep to confirm/clarify what that means for any sale/purchase
IW96133

Hi Adam,

Thanks very much for your help.

We had confirmation of absolute title and indeed that the deeds were not found. Could you shine any light on the evidence provided, since even the conveyancers were surprised by the outcome, which was also swift.

Kind regards,
Chris 

Hi Chris - where deeds have been lost the evidence provided is in the form of a statement of truth (24/6/2025). If the conveyancer require a copy then they can apply for a copy 
Interesting that they were surprised as the key is that absolute was awarded. As for speed, well it was expedited so we do our best to assist in such cases.
Every application to register a property for the first time is dealt with on merit. The statement of truth states the 'facts' involved re the loss of the deeds and we have the authority to grant absolute title and guarantee that as appropriate. 
I suspect the conveyancer is used to seeing such applications being awarded possessory title and/or requiring wider checks to be carried out but that's not always the case. And in my experience examples such as this, namely it was the solicitor holding the deeds who lost them, absolute title can be granted. If the actual owners had lost them then a different outcome would have been likely 
IW96133

Hi Adam, thanks very much. This is extremely helpful.