What Is a Mortgage Deed?

What a Mortgage Deed Contains

A mortgage deed is a legal document that creates a 'charge' on your property in favour of the mortgage lender. By signing it, you agree that the lender has a legal interest in your home as security for the loan. If you fail to keep up your mortgage repayments, this charge gives the lender the right to take possession of the property and sell it to recover their money.

The deed typically contains your name, the property address, the lender's name, and the terms of the charge. It doesn't usually specify the interest rate or monthly payment — those details are in the mortgage offer document. The deed is specifically about the legal charge on the property.

When You Sign the Mortgage Deed

You'll sign the mortgage deed as part of the legal process when remortgaging. Your conveyancer or solicitor will send it to you along with other documents that need signing before completion. You must sign it in the presence of an independent witness — someone over 18 who isn't a party to the mortgage.

It's important to read the deed carefully before signing, even though it's largely standard legal language. Your conveyancer should explain anything you're unsure about. Don't rush this step — you're creating a legal obligation, and you should be comfortable with what you're agreeing to.

What Happens to the Mortgage Deed After Completion

After you sign the deed and the remortgage completes, your conveyancer registers the new lender's charge at HM Land Registry. The deed is then stored — either by the lender, the conveyancer, or at the Land Registry in digital form. Most lenders now hold deeds electronically.

When you eventually pay off your mortgage in full, the lender discharges their charge at the Land Registry. This removes their legal interest in your property, confirming that you own it outright and free of any mortgage debt.