What is a TR1 Form?

Buying and selling property can be complex, and it often requires a fair bit of paperwork to complete the process. One of the most important documents is the TR1 form. Without it, ownership of the property cannot be transferred, making the sale incomplete.

The TR1 form plays an essential role in the property buying and selling process. It enables the transfer of ownership of the home to someone else and legally documents this change. Without a complete TR1, the Land Registry cannot register the change in ownership or guarantee that the new buyer is now the legal owner. Therefore, it poses potential legal issues for both seller and buyer if a TR1 cannot be assigned to the property involved.

As you can see from this brief introduction, the TR1 plays a crucial role in property. In this blog, we explain everything about it, so you aren’t caught off guard.

What does the TR1 form include?

The TR1 is a standardised template provided by the Land Registry. It consists of just two pages and includes the following sections that require completion:

• Title number. The unique number assigned to the property by the Land Registry.
• Description. A full description of the property type and its address.
• Date of transfer. The date that ownership transfers. Normally, the completion date.
• Transferor. Details for the current owners of the property.
• Transferee. Details for those buying the property, including current address.
• Transfer. A key section for witnessing the transfer from the existing owner to the new owner.
• Consideration. The purchase price or value of the property transfer, and whether the property is being gifted.
• Execution. Signatures of the transferor, transferee and witnesses.
• Title guarantees. State whether the property is being transferred with a full or limited title guarantee. In most cases, properties are transferred with a full title guarantee.
• Lender information. If a mortgage is being used, the lender may need to provide information and sign, agreeing to the transfer.
• Solicitor information. Details of the solicitor being used to register the transaction.
• Additional information. Information such as Stamp Duty certificate, restricted covenants or specific agreements all go in this section.

 When does a TR1 form need to be completed?

A TR1 form needs to be completed in time for completion day. If it’s not, the conveyancer will be unable to transfer the property to the buyer. The TR1 will be used to create a deed of transfer. This is sent to the buyer and then to the Land Registry so the transfer can be completed. That means you need to allow sufficient time for the form to get completed, checked and sent. In most cases, you’ll be asked to complete a TR1 shortly after the exchange of contracts but before your scheduled completion date.

Your conveyancer will normally prepare and complete your TR1, so it is ready in time, but don’t be surprised if you see the date space empty. This is because the conveyancer will enter the completion date once it is known. Do not fill this bit in yourself, as you could provide incorrect information.

What documents need to be sent with a complete TR1 form?

Once a TR1 form is complete, the conveyancer will send it along with a Stamp Duty Land Tax Certificate (if applicable), Form AP1 if the property is registered and Form FR1 if the property is not registered. If you have chosen not to use a conveyancer to complete your TR1 form (which is allowed but not recommended), you’ll also need to send a certificate of identity.

Completing the TR1 form – The process

In most cases, the conveyancer will handle the completion of the TR1 form, leaving only the areas that require buyer, seller, witness and lender signatures to be filled out. The TR1 form can be completed without a conveyancer, but this is not recommended. In fact, many lenders require a conveyancer to prepare and complete the form as part of their lending terms.

Even though the conveyancer will typically take charge of the process, buyers and sellers should remain aware of how it works so the transaction isn’t delayed in any way.

• The solicitor gets a TR1 form from the Land Registry.
• They complete the title number, address of the property, transfer date, the sales price or whether the property is being gifted, and names of the buyers and sellers.
• The seller signs the TR1 form in front of a witness. The witness must also sign.
• The buyer(s) signs the TR1 form in front of a witness. The witness must also sign.
• The lender will sign to confirm if a mortgage is being ported or discharged.
• The solicitor signs to certify they have witnessed the signatures.
• A fee to the Land Registry is paid, the SDLT certificate, AP1 and any other required documents are attached.
• The TR1 is then submitted either in an online or physical format.

How long does it take to process a TR1 form?

Provided there are no issues with the TR1 form or the supporting documents, the process of registering the TR1 transfer typically takes around 2-3 weeks. Once transferred, the property is legally owned by the buyers.

The Land Registry will carefully check the TR1 form, any supporting documents and ensure that the correct fee has been paid before transferring ownership. The fee varies depending on the property value, but it can be as low as £20 and as high as £200.

The Land Registry will then record any ported or discharged mortgage to ensure the mortgage rights of the buyer are registered. They will then close the old title register and open a new one for the buyer. A new title plan will then be drawn up, and the original TR1 will be filed as evidence of the transfer taking place. The solicitor will then be sent copies of the new register and plans to prove the registration has been completed.

What could delay the TR1 from being processed?

A TR1 form is an important legal document, and in the hands of your conveyancing solicitor, it should be filled out promptly and correctly. However, mistakes can happen, and these can delay or invalidate the whole registration.

If you are completing the TR1 form or using a solicitor, be wary of:

• Incorrect property address
• Incorrect title number
• Missing signatures
• Spelling errors on names or addresses
• Missing ID or supporting documents
• Incomplete or missing witness information
• Incorrect consideration amount
• Missing mortgage lender information

One simple mistake could see the registration invalidated or severely delayed. Hiring an expert conveyancer will help you avoid these risks and allow for a much smoother process.

Responsibility for completing the TR1 form is normally with the sellers, and if you are in a rush to sell, it may be forgotten or completed incorrectly. A solution is Bettermove. We buy your house for cash and enable you to sell your house for free, removing all the legal fees. This means the TR1 can be completed without any stress, hassle or worry, as we’ll cover the costs. With a network of cash house buyers ready and waiting, your home can be sold in 30 days or less, allowing for the speedy and stress-free sale you hoped for. Contact us today to sell your house fast.