Sole trader company name problem

Hello, We put our property into the name of a trading as company name with a view to renting the flat and keeping things separate. Unfortunately life changes meant it never went down that path and we lived in the flat for several years but forgot about this. Now we come to sell it's a problem. Conveyancers and solicitors won't touch us, apparently compliance problems. The company name was never registered, no accounts, it just never happened the way we planned. The conveyancer we used didn't register it as Joe Bloggs t/a XYZ, just as XYZ ( the company name) which show as the proprietor on the deeds. The conveyancer is no longer in business. We recognise we've made a mistake but we are where we are and need to fix this. So now we are selling, have an offer we accepted but can't find a conveyancer who will help. There is no mortgage and the buyer is a cash buyer which might mean less red flags but what do we do. Can we name change ourselves or could we complete the conveyancing ourselves as it seems to us the name change to us first might just be an extra duplicate step for the same end result. Any guidance appreciated.

Hello AJ - this wouldn't be a simple name change as you put it as the legal ownership rests with the named company, albeit unregistered. Unsure how the conveyancer at the time achieved that without the company being registered. I suspect you will need to register the company and then transfer the legal ownership either into your own names OR simply sell and transfer it as the company. It is though very much legal advice you need re company law and whether alternatives exist but from a purely registration perspective it isn't a change of name but an actual transfer of ownership that will be required

Thank you Adam, Sell and transfer as the t/a company seems the easiest way now. I read one of your other posts that if the other side are cash buyers then this could mean no flag to raise so hopefully we are fortunate and can get through this self inflicted problem. Forms ID1, AP1 and TR1 do we need any others for land registry to process this ? Thank you again,

AJ - flags matter and they can vary depending on the conveyancer/lender involvement as you suggest. But to be frank any buyer/conveyancer should be checking the company details via Companies House to confirm who the Directors are etc so that they know they are dealing with the right 'seller'. That seems like a big flag and hurdle to overcome if the Co Hse result is going to confirm no such company exists.<br> Any transfer would rely on Ap1, TR1 and ID1/ID2 (company) or ID3 as appropriate, correct

Thank you for providing clarity. at least we know what's what now. Thank you.