Updating the deeds after an owner dies
How to remove a deceased joint owner’s name from the register.
Joint tenants
If the property was owned as joint tenants, the surviving owner becomes sole owner automatically. The register is updated with form DJP and a copy of the death certificate.
Tenants in common
If the deceased owned a separate share, it passes under their will or the intestacy rules, and probate may be needed first.
Taking your time
There is no strict deadline, but updating the register keeps things clear for any future sale or remortgage.
Common questions
Do I need probate to remove a deceased joint owner?
Not for joint tenants — the survivor becomes sole owner automatically, and the register is updated with form DJP and a copy of the death certificate. If the deceased held a separate share as a tenant in common, probate is usually needed first.
How long do I have to update the register after a death?
There is no strict deadline. Most people do it when the property is next sold or remortgaged, but updating it sooner keeps things clear for everyone involved.
Who can apply to update the register?
The surviving owner can apply themselves, or you can have the paperwork prepared and submitted for you. We handle the application and check it before it is sent.
This guide is general information about England and Wales, not legal or tax advice. We prepare and submit paperwork; mortgaged or complex cases are referred to a regulated solicitor.
Let’s move things forward.
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