How Does Equity Release Impact Property Title Deeds?

Equity release impacts property title deeds by potentially transferring ownership to the lender, especially in the case of home reversion. Property deeds are crucial for equity release, as they confirm your ownership and any existing liens or charges—without a clear title, equity release may be delayed or denied.
Property Title Deeds and Equity Release
  • Last Updated: 13 Oct 2024
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Are You Considering Equity Release? Need Help Understanding Title Deeds, Land Registration, and Transferring Equity? Read On…

Key Takeaways…

  • Equity release can affect your property title deeds by transferring ownership to the lender, depending on the type of plan you choose; however, in most cases, you retain the title deeds and ownership.
  • Title deeds act as proof of ownership and secure your loan, remaining in your possession after the plan ends, unless you opt for home reversion.
  • Generally, retaining ownership without transferring deeds is possible, ensuring you remain the legal owner.

Securing an equity release plan involves an administrative effort, and you may be wondering what you should know about property title deeds and equity release.

But what if you do not know where your title deeds are, whether your name is on them, whether your property is registered with the Land Registry, “am I eligible for equity release?, or even “is equity release a con“, as this requires careful evaluation of it’s implications.

In This Article, You Will Discover:

    The team at EveryInvestor has put together this comprehensive guide to help you understand how all this works.

    Therefore…

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    What is Equity Release and How Does it Work?

    Equity release offers a financial solution for individuals over 55 to access the capital tied up in their homes.

    What is the Process for Equity Release?

    Equity release in the UK has become a popular financial strategy for retirees looking to supplement their retirement income.

    Consider the equity release age requirement before proceeding with any applications.

    It is a viable option for those looking to enhance their financial situation in retirement or to meet specific financial objectives.

    The market predominantly features two types of equity release on a house: Lifetime mortgages and home reversion plans.

    In a lifetime mortgage, you take a loan against your home’s value, repayable from your estate later.

    Home reversion involves selling a share of your property in return for a lump sum or a series of payments, whilst maintaining residency.

    Homeowners considering re-mortgaging often find a re-mortgage equity release calculator useful for comparing potential outcomes and assessing the viability of this financial strategy.

    The equity release process in the UK may have specific regulations and guidelines that borrowers need to adhere to.

    In some cases, individuals may pursue equity release compensation claims if they believe they were misled or mistreated during the process.

    Martin Lewis’ Advice on Equity Release

    Martin Lewis, a trusted UK financial expert, often advises caution when considering equity release.

    He emphasises the importance of understanding the long-term impact, including how it reduces the value of your estate. His key advice is to seek independent financial advice to ensure it’s the right decision for your specific circumstances.

    He also highlights the high costs involved, including interest that compounds over time.

    Martin Lewis urges homeowners to explore alternatives, such as downsizing, before committing to equity release, which he considers a “last resort” option for some.

    What Does Equity Release Allow & What Does it Offer?

    Equity release allows you to access the value tied up in your property without the need to sell or move out.

    Typically available to those aged 55 or over, it offers a way to unlock cash while remaining in your home.

    The most common types include lifetime mortgages and home reversion plans, each with their own set of features and considerations.

    How Can I Release Money from My Property?

    You can release money from your property through equity release. It involves either taking out a loan secured against your home or selling a share of your property.

    This allows you to access the cash tied up in your home whilst still being able to live there. It is important to carefully consider the implications and seek advice before proceeding.

    What Happens When You Inherit a House with Equity Release?

    If you inherit a property with an equity release plan in place, the loan must usually be repaid after the homeowner passes away.

    This is typically done by selling the property, as equity release lenders expect full repayment from the sale proceeds. If the loan exceeds the home’s value, the “no negative equity guarantee” protects beneficiaries from owing more than the property is worth.

    In some cases, inheritors can pay off the loan from other funds and keep the property. However, they will need to act quickly, as most lenders expect repayment within 6-12 months of the homeowner’s death.

    Is Transfer of Equity a Good Idea for Homeowners?

    Transferring equity may be a good idea if you are looking to change ownership without selling the property. For instance, you might want to transfer ownership to a family member or partner.

    However, it’s important to know that transferring equity doesn’t release cash like an equity release scheme would, and there may be tax implications.

    Before proceeding, speak to a legal advisor to fully understand the consequences, particularly how it might affect your estate and any future equity release plans. In some cases, transferring equity can complicate your financial situation rather than simplify it.

    Understanding Property Title Deeds: What You Need to Know

    What is a Property Title Deed?

    A property title deed1 is the document that shows the chain of owners, past and present, of a property.

    what do property deeds look like uk

    The title deed includes the following…

    • Conveyances
    • Contracts of sale
    • Wills
    • Mortgages
    • Leases

    Can I Use Equity Release If I Only Have Property Title Deeds?

    You can use equity release with only Property Title Deeds in hand.

    The title deed is a crucial legal document confirming your rightful ownership of the property.

    inheriting a house with equity release

    With this ownership, you have the ability to access the equity tied up in your property, even if the mortgage is fully repaid, by choosing an equity release scheme.

    It is important to note that equity release may not be the best option for everyone.

    Since each homeowner’s situation is unique, consulting with a financial advisor is advisable before proceeding.

    Equity release could affect your tax situation and eligibility for state benefits.

    Additionally, given that property values can vary, the equity remaining after releasing some of it might be less than anticipated.

    How Are Property Title Deeds Affected by a Home Reversion Plan?

    When you take out an equity release plan, there may be changes to your title deeds, which are the legal documents proving your property ownership.

    What Happens to My Title Deeds if I Take Out a Lifetime Mortgage?

    If you take out a lifetime mortgage, you retain full ownership of your property. 

    However, the equity release provider will register a first legal charge on your title deeds at the Land Registry. 

    what happens to deeds when mortgage paid off

    This means the provider has a legal claim over the property, which will be settled when the plan ends (typically when you pass away or move into long-term care). 

    The title deeds will still show you as the owner, but the equity release provider will have a legal interest in the property.

    What Happens to My Title Deeds if I Take Out a Home Reversion Plan?

    If you take out a home reversion plan, you sell a portion or all of your property to an equity release provider in exchange for a tax-free cash lump sum, a regular income, or both. 

    In this case, the title deeds will be updated to reflect the shared ownership between you and the provider. 

    The exact changes to the title deeds will depend on the terms of the agreement and the proportion of the property sold.

    In short… 

    • With a lifetime mortgage2 , you retain ownership of the property, but the mortgage will be added to your title deed.
    • With a home reversion3, you effectively sell all or part of your home to the lender, so the lender will be listed as the owner or part-owner of the property on your title deeds.

    Remember to seek advice…

    In both cases, it is essential to seek professional advice from a qualified equity release advisor who can guide you through the process and help you understand the implications of changing your title deeds. 

    An advisor can also help you explore alternative options if equity release is not suitable for your situation.

    Trusts

    Should your property be held in a trust4, the trust would need to be unwound before completing an equity release deal because a property must be free of encumbrances to qualify for equity release.

    The nature of a trust means that the property’s equity passes to the beneficiaries.

    However, an equity release agreement requires that the lender has the first legal charge (first claim) to the property, which contradicts the principles of a trust.

    Charges

    In the case of equity release, ‘charges’ refers to any debt registered on your property, such as mortgages, secured loans, or existing equity release plans.

    County Court Judgements5 or any other debt will also be registered against the property.

    These will all need to be settled as part of the equity release agreement because your lender requires that it be the only charge on your title deeds.

    Do you pay taxes on equity release?

    Depending on your location and circumstances, taxes may apply to the funds received through equity release.

    Covenants and Restrictions

    Covenants and restrictions are also listed on your title deeds and refer to any agreements related to your property and another landowner.

    For example, a restrictive covenant may cover aspects such as what you can use the property for.

    A positive covenant is an obligation, such as maintaining fences and driveways.

    These are standard, and you should have been made aware of them when you bought the property.

    Equity Release Title Deeds: UK vs. Other Countries

    Equity Release Title Deeds in Other Countries in the UK

    Other countries in the UK have different arrangements when it comes to title deeds registries.

    equity release scotland

    Scotland

    The Scottish Land Registry6 oversees land transactions, and almost the same rules apply to title deeds and equity release agreements as they do in England. 

    Northern Ireland

    Northern Ireland has its own land registry7, which falls under the auspices of Land and Property Services.

    The title deeds will also list the previous owners, charges (including equity release plans), and covenants.

    Wales

    Besides those registered in England, HM Land Registry8 also manages Welsh property transactions.

    Welsh title deeds would contain the same information as title deeds in the rest of the UK.

    Managing Equity Release Title Deeds: Tips and Guidance

    How to Find Out if My Property’s Registered With HM Land Registry

    To find out if your property is registered with HM Land Registry, you can visit the website, where you will enter your property name / number and your postcode, and the results page will show if your property is registered. 

    does equity release show on land registry

    It became compulsory to register all property transactions from 19909, and any mortgages or equity release plans attached to a property from 1998.

    How Do I Obtain a Copy of My Property’s Title Deeds?

    You can obtain a copy of your property deeds from the land registry office.

    First, you will need to discover whether your property is registered with the land registry office, especially if you bought it prior to 1990 and have not made any amendments or taken out any loans against the property since then.

    If your property is registered, you can download copies of your property summary, title plan, and title register.

    title deeds uk

    The property summary includes the following…

    • The property’s address (the one held by the Royal Mail)
    • The property description
    • The tenure type (the type of ownership on the property)
    • Any restrictive covenants (restrictions on how you may use the land)
    • Any easements (the rights of one piece of land over another, for example. a right of way)

    There is no charge for a copy of the property summary.

    However, if you need details of any restrictive covenants or easements, you will need to buy the title register.

    You will also need to order an official copy of the property summary if you need to prove ownership of the property, such as in court.

    The title register includes the following…

    • The title number
    • The property owner
    • The last purchase price for the property
    • Whether the property has a mortgage
    • Details of any restrictive covenants
    • Details of any easements 

    Your title register may not include details of the restrictive covenants or easements but will point you to which documents do.

    The title plan includes the following…

    • The property’s location 
    • General boundaries

    A copy of your title plan will cost £3.

    However, some title plans can not be downloaded, and will have to be mailed to you at a cost of £7 per document.10 

    How Can I Utilise an Equity Release Calculator for Financial Planning?

    Utilising an equity release calculator empowers you to make informed decisions regarding your finances.

    By inputting details such as your age, property value, and outstanding mortgage, you can estimate the amount you could release.

    This tool provides clarity on potential releases and helps you plan for the future with confidence.

    Ensuring Clarity: Navigating Land Title with Equity Release

    How Can I Determine Land Title Ownership with Equity Release?

    You can find out who is on your land title with equity release via the HM Land Registry office.

    They can provide details of anyone else who has shares in your property.

    You may need this information as equity release only allows for two co-owners of a property.

    If more than two people are listed as property owners, their names will need to be removed from the title deed before the equity release application can proceed.

    How Can I Register an Unregistered Property?

    You can register an unregistered property through the HM Land Registry office.

    A property must be registered when you take ownership or take out a mortgage on it.

    It is also advisable to register your property voluntarily if it is not yet on the land register.

    Voluntary registration provides the following benefits…

    • It provides proof of ownership.
    • It protects your land against fraud (such as it being sold or mortgaged illegally by a third party).
    • It makes it easier to sell or mortgage your property in the future.

    The steps you will need to take to register your property are:

    1. Search the register to make sure it is not already registered.
    2. If it is not registered, apply to the Land Charges Register11, which will send you any charges on your property all the way back to 1925.
    3. Complete a first-time registration form.
    4. Provide a scale plan of your property if there is not one in the deeds.
    5. Find out what other documentation12 you need (depending on whether you have bought or inherited the property) and submit two copies of the documents.
    6. The fee for the registration will depend on the value of your property.
    7. Send your documents, forms, and fees to HM Land Registry.

    Mis-selling of equity release occurs when individuals are provided with inaccurate or misleading information about the product, leading to inappropriate financial decisions.

    Common Questions

    Does Equity Release Show on the Land Registry?

    Can Two People Hold Shares on Land Registry Title Deeds at the Same Time?

    Can I Take Equity Release if I Am Not on the Property Title Deeds?

    Do I Need Permission From Everyone on the Title Deed to Take Out Equity Release?

    What Is Transfer of Equity of Properties?

    Why Would I Choose a Transfer of Equity of Properties With Equity Release?

    Is Transfer of Property Equity a Good Idea? Tax and Stamp Duty Implications

    How Can Equity Release Affect My Property Title Deeds?

    Can I Retain My Property Title Deeds in an Equity Release Scheme?

    What Happens to Property Title Deeds and Inheriting a House with Equity Release?

    How Do Property Title Deeds Work in Equity Release?

    Does an Equity Release Scheme Require Transferring My Property Title Deeds?

    Does Equity Release Show Up on the Land Registry?

    Concluding Thoughts

    Understanding the relationship between property title deeds and equity release is crucial for UK homeowners considering this financial option. 

    Equity release plans can have different implications for your title deeds.

    Whilst lifetime mortgages allow you to retain full ownership of your property, home reversion plans involve selling a portion or all of your property to the equity release provider. 

    Individuals considering equity release should seek professional equity release advice to navigate the complexities of this financial decision.

    Learn More: Lasting Power of Attorney In Equity Release

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