Buying a property with someone else is one of the biggest financial commitments you’ll ever make. Whether you’re purchasing with a partner, family member or friend, it’s important to record exactly who owns what.
A Declaration of Trust is a legally binding document that sets out each person’s financial interest in a property and what should happen if the property is sold in the future.
At Gepp Solicitors, we prepare tailored Declarations of Trust that provide certainty, protect your investment and help reduce the risk of disputes later on.
A Declaration of Trust (sometimes called a Deed of Trust) is a legal agreement that records the beneficial ownership of a property.
Although two or more people may be registered as the legal owners at HM Land Registry, a Declaration of Trust records how the beneficial interests in the property are actually owned.
For example, it can record:
Having these arrangements clearly documented helps avoid uncertainty and provides clarity if circumstances change.
A Declaration of Trust can be beneficial whenever two or more people contribute differently towards purchasing or owning a property.
Common situations include:
A professionally prepared Declaration of Trust can provide valuable protection by:
Ideally, a Declaration of Trust should be prepared at the time the property is purchased.
However, it can also be created after completion if all owners agree.
Seeking advice early often makes the process simpler and ensures everyone’s intentions are properly documented from the outset.
Yes. If all owners agree, a Declaration of Trust can usually be varied or replaced to reflect changing circumstances.
This may be appropriate if:
Our team can advise whether an existing Declaration of Trust remains suitable or whether it should be updated.
A Declaration of Trust should do more than simply record ownership percentages. It should accurately reflect your intentions, protect your financial interests and provide clarity if circumstances change in the future.
At Gepp Solicitors, our experienced Private Client team takes the time to understand your individual circumstances before preparing a document tailored to your needs. Where appropriate, we work alongside our Residential Conveyancing and Tax & Succession Planning teams to provide joined-up legal advice, giving you confidence that your arrangements are properly documented.
Whether you’re buying a property with a partner, family member or friend, or you’d like to formalise an existing ownership arrangement, our experienced advisers are here to help.
We’ll explain your options in plain English, prepare a Declaration of Trust tailored to your circumstances and ensure your interests are protected from the outset.
Call: 01245 228125
Email: privateclientenq@gepp.co.uk
Call: 01245 228125 or email: privateclientenq@gepp.co.uk or request a call back.
If you want to find out more about the services we can offer you, please feel free to get in touch.
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