Assignments or transfers of unregistered leases - compulsory registration

Assignments or transfers of unregistered leases made on or after 13 October 2003, where at the time of the deed the lease has more than seven years of the term left to run, will trigger compulsory registration if the assignment or transfer is either:

• for value
• by way of gift
• pursuant to a court order
• by means of an assent - including a vesting assent.

Exceptions to this rule include certain transfers by operation of law, assignments of a mortgage term and surrenders of a lease to the reversionary owner where merger is to be effected. These exceptions are explained in detail in Land Registry Practice Guide 25 - Leases: when to register.

Grant of a first legal mortgage over an unregistered leasehold estate

The grant of a first legal mortgage over an unregistered leasehold estate that has more than seven years of the term left to run, will trigger compulsory first registration.

The next page looks at voluntary registration and leases that cannot be registered.