Land records · Parcel maps · October 7, 2026
How to Transfer Property to an LLC: Deed Steps
How to transfer property to an LLC: sign and record a deed to the company, then check the mortgage, title insurance, transfer tax, and exemptions.
How to transfer property to an LLC comes down to one document and a list of side effects. The document is a deed from the current owner, as grantor, to the limited liability company, as grantee, which is signed, notarized, and recorded in the county where the property sits. The side effects are where people get surprised: the mortgage may contain a due-on-sale clause, the existing owner’s title insurance policy may not protect the new owner, transfer taxes or reassessment may apply, and homestead exemptions usually end. Planning for those issues before recording the deed avoids most problems. This page is general land-records background, not legal advice.
Basic steps
- Form the LLC with the state and confirm its exact legal name.
- Get a copy of the current deed for the legal description and vesting.
- Choose the deed type, often a warranty, special warranty, or quitclaim deed.
- Prepare the deed naming the LLC exactly as registered.
- Sign and notarize, with witnesses if your state requires them.
- File transfer tax forms or exemption claims.
- Record the deed with the county recorder. See how to record a deed.
- Update insurance, the assessor, and utility accounts.
The mortgage
Most residential mortgages allow the lender to demand full payment if the property is transferred without consent. Federal law protects some transfers, such as to a spouse or a living trust, but transfers to an LLC are generally not on that list. Many lenders never act on it, but the risk is real. Asking the lender for written consent, or refinancing into a loan made to the LLC, removes the uncertainty.
Title insurance
An owner’s title policy usually protects the named insured. After a deed to an LLC, the LLC may not be covered, especially if a quitclaim deed was used. Some insurers offer an endorsement that adds the LLC as an insured when the members are the same as the original owners. Ask before recording. See what is title insurance.
Transfer tax and reassessment
| Issue | What to check |
|---|---|
| Transfer tax | Some states exempt transfers to an entity with the same owners; others tax them |
| Property tax reassessment | Some states treat entity transfers as a change in ownership |
| Homestead exemption | Usually lost because an LLC cannot claim a residence exemption |
| Income tax | Contributions to an LLC are often non-taxable, but check |
See what is a real estate transfer tax and what is a homestead exemption.
Liability protection
Owners often transfer rental property to an LLC to separate it from personal assets. That protection depends on running the LLC as a real business: a separate bank account, leases signed in the company name, adequate insurance, and following the operating agreement. A deed alone does not create a shield if the owner mixes funds or ignores formalities.
Insurance
Update the property insurance so the LLC is the named insured. A homeowner’s policy may not cover a property owned by an LLC, particularly a rental. Liability coverage should name the company.
Financing later
Loans to LLCs are usually commercial or investor loans with different rates and terms. Some owners keep the property in their own name until refinancing, then transfer at closing with the lender’s approval.
Bottom line
To transfer property to an LLC, sign and record a deed naming the company as grantee. Before doing it, check the mortgage’s due-on-sale clause, title insurance coverage, transfer taxes, reassessment rules, homestead exemptions, and insurance. The LLC’s liability protection depends on how it is run. Find county recorders via the Platbookmapper map.
How to transfer property to an llc FAQ
Do I need a new deed to put property in an LLC?
Yes, the owner deeds the property to the LLC and records it.
Will my lender call the loan if I transfer to an LLC?
It may have the right to; ask for consent first.
Does my title insurance cover the LLC?
Not always; ask about an endorsement before transferring.
Is there transfer tax on a deed to an LLC?
It depends on the state; some exempt same-owner transfers.
Will I lose my homestead exemption?
Usually yes, since an LLC cannot claim a residence exemption.