Selling or managing a property on behalf of someone who has died can be a complex and time-consuming process. Our Charity Assist team includes legal experts with hands-on experience of the wide range of issues that can arise when not-for-profit organisations are bequeathed a property in a will.
Support for Every Stage of the Legacy Journey
Expert legal guidance to help your charity grow, manage and protect legacy income.
Compliance with the Charities Act
When a charity has an interest in a property that forms part of a deceased estate, compliance with the Charities Act is essential.
We advise personal representatives, agents and charities on the statutory duties that apply to the disposal of land and, thanks to our vast experience, we ensure you obtain the appropriate support. We will make sure transactions are properly marketed and demonstrate the best terms that are reasonably obtainable are achieved.
With the help of our TE Charity Assist team, all property sales and decisions are managed transparently and in accordance with regulatory requirements. We protect trustees and properly safeguard the charity’s interests throughout the administration process.
Property sales
We provide dedicated advice and support for all matters relating to the sale or transfer of a property that forms part of a deceased estate. Even if the title is unclear or unregistered, we can establish ownership.
Our services include:
- Providing leases and licences
- Identifying and resolving title issues, restrictions or missing information
- Dealing with grants of rights of way and other easements
- Putting indemnity policies in place
Property management
We have longstanding partnerships with trusted property management companies across the UK. They help our experts to:
- Secure a property
- Conduct document searches
- Clear or maintain a property
- Undertake inspections
- Provide safe storage or the sale of personal possessions and contents
- Recover and sell vehicles left at a property
- Drain down water systems
- Provide unoccupied property insurance
- Arrange RICS valuations
- Market and sell a property
Missing title deeds
When the owner of a property has died, it can be difficult to locate the title deeds, particularly if you did not have a personal relationship with them. Our expert team has encountered this issue many times and has extensive experience of dealing with properties with missing or defective title documents. We will:
- Conduct investigations and searches with HM Land Registry
- Apply for first registration, including possessory, qualified or absolute title, as appropriate
- Identify risks, restrictions or third-party interests
If necessary, we will undertake a detailed investigation to establish ownership of the property. This includes building a full picture of its history using past documents, conveyances and statutory declarations. If required, we will bring on board specialist investigators, surveyors and other professionals.
Contact us
If your charity has a property-related matter you would like to discuss in more detail, do not hesitate to contact us.
