Deeds not where they should be

[Baggy1]

I've been left with a mess to sort out as executor for a late relative.

He left detailed notes of where everything was which was pretty decent apart form the largest part of the estate, his house. He had the deeds with the bank according to his records but the bank are denying any knowledge of having them. The branch they were held at according to theist has been closed down and everything moved to a central location, however that doesn't;t mean much as the bank are saying they never had them.

It looks a very complicated process from what I can see on the land registry site - any advice or experience would be appreciated

[PallasAthena]

Are you certain the property hasn't been registered at the Land Registry?

[Baggy1]

Yes, in fact the property was registered in the name of the local authority in error to complicate the matter further. This was agreed with the LA that it was an error and they removed their claim. The property is now unregistered on the land registry site.

He obtained the property in the mid 1950s.

[Pezza54]

An application to the Land Registry to register a property requires evidence of ownership, a plan with the property boundary clearly marked and an explanation why the property has not been registered before
You should consult a solicitor to make the application.
As executor you can deduct the legal costs from the deceased's estate

[atticus]

You will need to do a good deal of digging.

Turn the house upside down looking for anything that may relate to the house. Any paperwork at all.

Consider contacting the local authority to see if they have any records that may help relating to the situation you mention in post #3.

Is there anyone who can give evidence of your deceased relative's ownership of the property going back as far as possible, if not to the 1950s?