Do I need a Form LL certificate for a transfer of equity?

Yes. A transfer of equity is a disposition of the registered estate and is subject to the Form LL restriction. A Certificate of Compliance is required before Land Registry will register the transfer.

What counts as a transfer of equity for Form LL purposes?

Any change to the legal ownership of a property — adding a partner to the title, removing a name after separation or divorce, transferring to a limited company, or gifting the property — triggers the Form LL restriction requirement.

How much does a Form LL certificate cost for a transfer of equity?

FormLL charges £160 inc VAT for a standard 3-5 working day service, or £240 inc VAT for Fast Track next working day. An additional £50 inc VAT applies per additional owner beyond the first.

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Transfer of Equity

Form LL Restriction and Transfer of Equity

Published by FormLL · England & Wales · Last updated April 2026

A transfer of equity — adding or removing a name from a property title — is a disposition of the registered estate and is therefore subject to any Form LL restriction on the title. If your property has a Form LL restriction and you are changing the legal ownership, you will need a Certificate of Compliance before Land Registry will register the transfer.

Which Transfers of Equity Are Affected?

Adding a partner or spouse

Moving in together or getting married and adding them to the title. The Form LL restriction applies and a certificate is required.

Removing a name after separation

Divorce or relationship breakdown where one party is buying the other out or being removed from the title. Certificate required.

Transferring to a limited company

Landlords restructuring their portfolio by transferring into a company. A transfer of equity triggers the restriction.

Gifting to a family member

Transferring property to children, parents or other family members. The restriction applies regardless of whether money changes hands.

The Form LL restriction applies to any "disposition of the registered estate" — this is the legal term for any change of ownership. It does not matter whether money is changing hands, whether a mortgage is involved, or whether the transfer is between family members. If the ownership is changing, the restriction applies.

Who Can Issue the Certificate for a Transfer?

As with all Form LL verifications, the certificate must come from an independent solicitor — someone not acting on the transfer itself. Your transfer of equity solicitor cannot issue it. An independent specialist must verify the identity of the current registered proprietors and issue the certificate specifically worded for a transfer transaction.

What the Certificate References

For a transfer of equity, the Certificate of Compliance references the TR1 transfer form rather than a mortgage offer. The wording confirms that the person executing the TR1 is the same person as the registered proprietor. Make sure you select "Transfer of equity" as your transaction type when booking — the wording must match the transaction or Land Registry may reject it.

Pricing

Standard — £160 inc VAT: 3–5 working days, best effort
Fast Track — £240 inc VAT: Guaranteed next working day
2 owners — add £50 inc VAT · 3 owners — add £100 inc VAT

Transfer of equity with a Form LL restriction?

Specialist confirmed in 24 hours. Certificate in days. Fixed fee — nothing more to pay.

Get Your Certificate — £160 Fast Track — guaranteed next working day — £240

I am transferring to my own limited company — does the restriction apply?

Yes. Even though you are effectively transferring to yourself (as director/shareholder), the legal ownership is changing from you as an individual to the company as a separate legal entity. This is a disposition that triggers the Form LL restriction.

My divorce solicitor says they can handle this — should I wait?

Family law solicitors often handle the transfer of equity but may not be equipped for the independent Form LL verification — these require conveyancing expertise and specific PI insurance. Ask them directly. If there is any uncertainty, book FormLL immediately to avoid delays in your divorce settlement.