GovWire

Guidance: Measures to support customers

Land Registry

July 25
09:22 2022

Increase to fees

Some of our land registration fees increased on Monday 31 January 2022. See Fees review 2021 to 2022 for more information.

Expedite an application (fast-track)

You can ask HM Land Registry to process your application urgently. The expedite process is available for applications where a delay would cause significant issues.

Processing times

Register queries

Register queries, such as official search and official copy applications, are operating as usual with many results available instantly. It takes 1 to 2 days if we need to manually handle an application. Searches of the index map can take 2 to 3 days.

Updates to the register

Applications to remove a mortgage are automated and returned within a day.

Over half of the remaining applications to update the register, such as changing a name or transferring a property title, take around 8 weeks to complete, with most completed in just under 3 months. We know that in some instances these applications are taking just under 5 months to complete.

If youve received a request for information (requisition) it will take longer to process. In some instances applications with requests for information (requisitions) can take a month longer to complete.

Complex changes and new entries

We complete over half of complex applications, such as first registrations, creating a new lease or transferring part of a property (transfer of part), in around 9 months. We complete most in just under 13 months, but some might take a few months longer depending on the application.

Requests for information (requisitions) are common on complex changes, with additional information required from the applicant. In some instances applications with requisitions can take over 2 months longer to complete.

Note: All timelines are correct as of May 2022. The timelines reflect the average experience based on the previous months activity. When contacting HM Land Registry to discuss individual cases we give an estimated date reflecting when 90% of each application type are completed.

Contact HM Land Registry

You can send us a message or contact us by phone

Our guides answer many of the most common questions.

Business e-services customers can:

Changes to practice for conveyancers

Conveyancers can use practice guide 80 for information about the changes weve made to our practice.

Identity verification

You can verify your identity for land registration purposes with a wide range of professionals including medical doctors, police officers and teachers. This can be done by video conference. For more details, see Practice guide 67A: temporary changes to HM Land Registrys evidence of identity requirements.

Land Charges applications

We have changed our practice to allow most Land Charges applications to be made by email, through attaching PDF copies of application forms and any supporting evidence. You must have a variable Direct Debit account to be able to do this. A new paragraph 6.1.3 has been added to practice guide 63. The change does not extend to those applications that can already be made through the portal or Business Gateway.

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Published 14 May 2020
Last updated 25 July 2022 +show all updates
  1. We have updated our application processing times.

  2. We have updated our application processing times.

  3. We have updated our application processing times.

  4. We have updated our application processing times.

  5. We have updated our application processing times.

  6. We have updated our application processing times.

  7. Update to application processing times.

  8. Some land registration fees will increase from Monday 31 January.

  9. We have updated our application processing times.

  10. We've updated application processing times for updates to the register.

  11. Updated our application processing times.

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