Deceased Joint Proprietor (DJP) Form
When a joint owner dies, the surviving owner removes the deceased owner's name. The process is simple, but the work is normally undertaken by a conveyancing solicitor. Once you complete the form, it is sent to the Land Registry with an official copy of the deceased's death certificate and probate/letter of administration. The process is different if you are transferring to a beneficiary.
If the person who died was the sole owner, then the personal representative will often either Assent (Form AS1) the property to the person(s) who inherits it (beneficiaries) or Transfer (form TR1) the property to someone else.
If the deceased was a joint owner and their partner is still alive, you would normally register the death with the Land Registry using form DJP, along with an official copy of the death certificate. Probate is not required to deal with the property but may be needed if the deceased's estate warrants it.
Download the DJP form - Application to remove from the register the name of a deceased joint proprietor.
How to remove a deceased joint proprietor at the Land Registry
This is a step-by-step breakdown of what's included in a DJP form and how to fill it out yourself.
Section 1 - Local Authority Details
State who your local authority is - click here to find the local authority for your property.Section 2 - Title number
You can find your title number on your deeds or you can download your title document from the Land Registry for £3.Section 3 - Address
Provide the full address including postcode.Section 4 - Evidence of death
You need to provide an official copy of the death certificate, an official copy of the probate or letters of administration and your conveyancer needs to certify they hold the same or certify the date of death.Section 5 - Applicant/s
List the names of the surviving owners of the property who will remain on the legal title.Section 6 - Details of who is submitting the application
Include your full name, home address, telephone number and email as the Land Registry will send back the completed documents to this address (if your solicitor is handling this for you then they will include their details).Section 7 - Request to remove
This is where either you or your conveyancer confirm their request to remove the name of the deceased party.Section 8 - Declaration the party is the same
You only complete this section if the name on the death certificate, probate or letters of administration (see Section 4 ) is different from the details on the title register.Section 9 - Signature
All parties listed in Section 5 - Applicant/s must sign in the same box in Section 9.
The completed DJP form is issued to the HM Land Registry Citizen Centre, PO Box 74, Gloucester, GL14 9BB with the applicable fee. See the Land Registry fees here.
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- What are my responsibilities?
- What forms do I need to submit to HMRC?
- How do I get the title deeds?
- How much inheritance tax (IHT) is payable?
What is the DJP process for a solicitor?
It's important to note that a qualified conveyancer or solicitor can submit a DJP form online with the Land Registry as opposed to sending it physically if you were to fill it out yourself. If you instruct a solicitor to complete the legal work then this is the process they will follow:
ID Proof:
The client provides proof of ID and home address and signs the solicitor's instruction forms.Death Certificate:
The client sends an official copy of the death certificate and an official copy of the probate or letters of administration.ID Check:
The solicitor completes an online ID check on all clients.Certification:
The solicitor certifies the official copy of the death certificate, official copy of the probate or letters of administration.DJP Form:
The Solicitor completes the DJP form and sends it to the Land Registry (for Conveyancers only) by e-DRS or to: HM Land Registry (insert your customer team's office name or your closest office, such as ‘Fylde’), PO Box 75, Gloucester, GL14 9BD or HM Land Registry, (insert your customer team's office name or your closest office, such as ‘Fylde’), DX 321601 Gloucester 33.Confirmation:
The Land Registry confirms the removal of the deceased party's name
Avoid the high form submission error rate
There is a significant error rate in DIY forms submitted to HMRC. This is often due to individuals attempting to complete forms such as the DJP form themselves, without seeking professional guidance from a solicitor.
Instructing a solicitor can help to minimise errors and ensure that the forms are completed correctly, potentially saving time, money, and stress in the long run.
SAM's solicitors are experienced in DJP forms and will advise you on the best course of action. Contact us for your FREE* 15-minute consultation below.
How long does it take to update the Land Registry?
It should take 2 to 3 weeks, however, it may take longer if the Land Registry has higher volumes of applications at the time of submission.
The probate process can take 6-12 months depending on case complexity. After obtaining probate, you will first settle any debts and pay taxes. Only after this is completed can you start distributing the remaining estate. Read more about Land Registry delays.
What happens in a joint ownership?
If the mortgage was held jointly, both owners were legally responsible for repayments. If one owner dies, their estate becomes responsible for paying off their share of the mortgage debt. The surviving owner automatically becomes the sole owner.
If the surviving owner cannot afford the mortgage payments, the lender might initiate foreclosure proceedings, potentially resulting in the loss of the property.
After the deceased's name has been removed, how soon can you get a mortgage?
After a change of title ownership, mortgage lenders normally require 3 to 6 months before they'll agree to any lending over the property.
If you are thinking of getting a mortgage over the property then you may want to think about removing the deceased proprietor's name during the remortgage process.
What are the costs of removing a deceased joint proprietor?
These are the estimated costs a solicitor will charge for handling the legal work for removing a deceased joint proprietor:
Description | Cost |
Solicitor's Legal Fee - remortgaging, ID checks, new mortgage offer, completion, charge update | £240 to £400 INC VAT - Depending on the property value |
ID Fee | £8 per name - For all applicants in Section 5 |
Official copy of the Register of Title | £3 - If leasehold this is £6 |
Land Registration | £20-£910 - Depending on property value and if the property is unregistered |
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