brother has our land registry and title deeds refuse to return them

[lindann]

brother bought cottage at auction, so he could move us into it, because he wanted our old house to renovate, which he did, cottage in our names was on the deeds and land registry, but we sold the second house to him, conveyancing letter by lawyer every think equaled out nothing owing,
cottage cost and mortgage to old house was the same value, but he thinks we owe £12000 same figures is £60.00 when he sold the old house for £129.000 prox. He kept the deeds and land registry for eight years which is our property, unless we pay him the £12000 he said we owe
He also was executor of my parents will, he got my mum to take me off the role of executors. Plus my mum promised a sum of money which l never got or seen the will what do l do in both cases can anyone advice me

[MoreBeta]

Your cottage belongs to you. You are the registered owner at the Land Registry. The documents he holds are worth nothing. You don't need deeds to prove you own a house. I have a 200 year old house. I am the owner of my house along with my wife and the old deeds have been lost.

You can download your Land Registry record for a few pounds here.

On the Will you need to talk to a solicitor.

[MoreBeta]

The debt, if it exists is unenforceable anyway. There presumably no agreement drawn up he can use to prove the debt exists?

How does he justify the debt?

[poshfrock]

Get a copy of the will and grant of probate from the Probate Registry (cost £10) then you will be able to see what your Mum left you and if you haven't received it you should contact the executors. You form need PA1S. Available online. Copies of title deeds available from Land Registry website. Cost £4. Since compulsory land registration introduced original deeds are otiose.

[IvyBeagle]

Sounds like your brother is used to being in charge :s

[Southpaws]

Paper deeds are meaningless if you are the registered proprietor at the Land Registry - you could put them on the bonfire and you would still own the property. Go onto the Land Registry website and download official copy entries just for your records. The official copies will show if there are any mortgages registered against the property.