Update property records when someone dies

How you update the property records when someone dies depends on whether they were the joint or sole owner of a property.

You can apply to update the records yourself or get a solicitor or conveyancer to do it for you.

The process involves legal steps and can be complicated. If you choose to apply yourself, find out what to consider before making an application without legal representation.

There’s a different way to update property records when someone dies in Scotland and update property records when someone dies in Northern Ireland.

This guide is also available in Welsh (Cymraeg).

Check the property records if you do not know:

• who owns a property
• whether it’s owned jointly or solely

When a joint owner dies

When a joint owner of a property dies, fill in form DJP to remove their name from the register.

Send the completed form to HM Land Registry, along with an official copy of the death certificate.

When a sole owner dies

When the sole owner of a property has died, the property is normally transferred to either:

• the person inheriting the property (known as ‘the beneficiary’)
• a third party, for example someone buying the property

Additional evidence will be required if:

• the grant is limited in any way, this may be if the executor named is a minor
• the personal representative has died, or appointed an attorney to administer the estate for them

If you transfer to a beneficiary

To transfer a property to a beneficiary, download and fill in the following forms:

• ‘Change the register’ (sometimes known as form AP1)
• ‘Whole of registered title: assent’ (sometimes known as form AS1)

You must also send:

• the original or an official copy of the grant of probate or letters of administration issued in the UK
• the Stamp Duty Land Tax certificate or self-certificate, or Land Transaction Tax certificate for properties sold in Wales on or after 1 April 2018 (if tax was paid on the property)
• a fee - check the fee calculator

Fill in ‘Verify identity: citizen’​​ (sometimes known as form ID1). The beneficiary also needs to complete this form.

Send all the completed forms and supporting documents to HM Land Registry.

If you sell the property to a third party

You need to:

• transfer the ownership of the property
• provide the buyer with an official copy of the grant of probate or letters of administration issued in the UK

You must also send:

• the original or an official copy of the grant of probate (issued in the UK) or letters of administration
• the Stamp Duty Land Tax certificate or self-certificate, or Land Transaction Tax certificate if you sold the property in Wales on or after 1 April 2018, if you paid tax on the property
• a fee - check the fee calculator

If you have a foreign grant of probate

If you want to update property records and have a grant of probate or an equivalent issued outside the UK, you’ll need to either:

• apply for a grant of probate in the UK
• get a foreign grant of probate ‘resealed’ - find out more about resealing