Our Pre-Marketing Title Check & Guidance Service is designed to help residential property sellers identify and resolve title issues before a property is placed on the market. By addressing potential legal hurdles early, we can help reduce delays, renegotiations and fall-throughs once a buyer is found.

This service is suitable for both freehold and leasehold residential properties and can be particularly valuable where:

• the property is leasehold;
• the title is unregistered;
• alterations or extensions have been carried out;
• there have been changes in ownership or long periods of ownership; or
• the seller wishes to market with confidence and transparency.

What the Service Includes

Obtaining Initial Documentation

We will:

• obtain official copies of the title register and title plan;
• review any filed deeds;
• obtain a copy of the lease (where applicable);
• ask you to complete the relevant property information forms; and
• liaise with the landlord or management company to request the management information or sales pack (leasehold properties).

These documents allow us to verify ownership and understand how the property is legally held.

Examination of Title

We will review the title documentation to confirm that you have a good and marketable title, suitable for sale. This includes checking for:

• restrictions, covenants or rights affecting the property;
• discrepancies between the title plan and the property as occupied;
• missing rights, reservations or easements; and
• registration or title structure issues.

Identifying and Managing Potential Issues

Where any potential difficulties are identified, we will explain these clearly and advise you on:

• whether the issue needs to be resolved pre-sale or can be dealt with during a transaction;
• practical legal solutions (such as indemnity insurance, deeds of variation or statutory declarations);
• additional investigations that may be required; and
• appropriate disclosure to future buyers.

Leasehold Review (if applicable)

For leasehold properties, we will also review:

• the key terms of the lease;
• remaining lease length;
• restrictions on alterations, subletting or use;
• service charge and ground rent provisions; and
• compliance issues that may need to be raised or remedied.

We will advise you on any matters that should be addressed or disclosed to a buyer at an early stage.

Clear Client Communication

We will keep you informed throughout the process and provide a clear written summary of our findings, together with practical guidance on next steps.

Timely and Proportionate Service

We recognise the importance of momentum when preparing a property for sale and aim to provide this service efficiently, without unnecessary delay to your marketing plans.

Fees

Our fees for the Pre-Marketing Title Check & Guidance Service are typically:

• £350–£650 plus VAT, depending on whether the property is freehold, leasehold, and whether the title is registered or unregistered.

We will confirm the likely fee at the outset and there are no hidden charges.

If you subsequently instruct us to act on your sale, we will take into account the work already carried out and, where possible, reduce your sale estimate accordingly.

Why Choose This Service?

• Identify and address title issues early
• Reduce the risk of sales falling through
• Speed up the conveyancing process once a buyer is found
• Market your property with confidence and transparency
• Benefit from advice from experienced residential property lawyers

About Wollens

We act for clients across Devon and beyond, with offices in Torquay, Barnstaple and Exeter.

You can also complete an online enquiry form. One of the Wollens team will contact you as soon as they are available.