Yesterday, I told you that land and property professionals have been using Application Enquiry to reduce the time and cost of their conveyancing.
This week, we offer five tips that will help professionals get the most from the service. The advice in this blog builds on the step by step instructions in our Application Enquiry user guide and adds some context.
Please note that where we refer to ‘you’, we are assuming you are a land or property professional with access to the HM Land Registry portal, our online transactional channel. We are also assuming you have some knowledge and experience of using the service.
Tip 1: Search by ‘HM Land Registry Reference’ to save time and see specific information
You can use your HM Land Registry Reference (we usually supply this when you send us your application) to search for your applications.
In some situations, this can help you find what you are looking for quicker than if you search by title number. Why? Because the HM Land Registry Reference is unique to each individual application, whereas a title number could have several applications against it.
When you search by HM Land Registry Reference, you are taken directly to the 'application details’ screen, so you won’t have to scroll through the list of pending applications against a title to find the one you are looking for.
The application details screen shows you whether we have completed or cancelled the application (if you search within 30 calendar days of the date you applied), and where we have sent any documentation.
We cannot display this information when you search by title number!
Searching by HM Land Registry Reference is especially useful if you are trying to find out about a new title application and you don’t have a title number yet. When you reach the application’s details screen, you will see its title number if we have allocated one. You can then click on this to go to the list of other pending applications against that title.
Tip 2: Save application details for later
You can create a permanent record of an application’s details with the ‘Save as PDF’ function.
It’s quicker and simpler than taking a screenshot or contacting us for confirmation and comes with the following advantages. It’s:
- HM Land Registry branded, which could come in handy if you need to send a client (or other interested party, like a lender) formal proof of status
- date and time stamped
- smart – the PDF will only contain the important on-screen information while superfluous items are excluded
- easy to save the PDF to a folder or location of your choice
More tips coming tomorrow!
I hope you have found these useful, and we’ll be back tomorrow with three more tips.
37 comments
Comment by Vaughan Pursall posted on
Thanks, just as we thought. Let’s hope they address the latest queries and things aren’t held up yet again.
Best Wishes, Vaughan
Comment by Vaughan Pursall posted on
Thanks Ian, I just wrote a comment but I don’t think it got sent, so forgive me if this is duplicated.
The situation is as I thought and we’ll be taking this up with our solicitor. You’ve been very helpful and we can only hope that things can now be settled quickly.
Vaughan
Comment by ianflowers posted on
You're welcome.
Comment by AdamH posted on
Vaughan - the registration was completed on 15th July so if the solicitor has not received the confirmation/deeds then they need to contact us
Comment by Dominika posted on
Good morning,
I had my lease extended in July 2019 and at the end of January 2020 I have provided my Solicitors, that dealt with the LE, with the Memorandum of Sale. It's been confirmed to me that Land Registry (LR) approved our request to expedite the registration of new lease, but have also informed that it may take weeks from now.
I am in a chain where both sides, my vendor and my buyer, are very motivated to exchange and complete asap, and as you can expect I am being chased for that new Title from all sides.
I myself am chasing the Solicitors, that dealt with the LE, but all I get is that they have not heard from LR and that it may take weeks...
How can I ensure my lease is registered in good time and not to cause the transaction to fall through.
The property in question is 69C, DA7 4DL
Many thanks in advance for any help!
Comment by Dominika posted on
Thank you Adam, fingers crossed the registration will happen any day now. And I will keep on chasing my Solicitors.
Comment by Dominika posted on
Good afternoon Adam,
Has there been any progress on my lease registration please?
Many thanks!
Comment by Dominika posted on
Dear Adam,
hope you are well!
Following on from our last exchange, intruded to find out more details, I have written to LR's Customer Service and in a matter of days, I had received a very helpful response.
In this response, I have been informed that the earliest date for the registration was 26/03/2020.
I have since spoken to my Solicitors and was advised that they will get back to me as soon as they know anything, but to date I have not heard back.
Is there any way for you to see if there was any progress with my case, please?
Thank you for your continued support!
Comment by Dominika posted on
Hi Adam,
TN: SGL805575, Ref: AAC4AC7
Many thanks!
Comment by Zoe posted on
Hi,
Our land registry was submitted in January 2019 and still hasn't been updated.
I have spoken to land registry twice and the solicitor we used for our original purchase has said he'd expedite our application as we are now under offer and need to exchange within 28 days otherwise we lose our reservation fee on our new house.
Can I get confirmation that it has been expedited?
Comment by AdamH posted on
Zoe - your solicitor can confirm that for you as they can check the details online. If you have the title number and case reference then you can email customersupport@landregistry.gov.uk but I would suggest speaking to your solicitor as that would be quicker and they can also advise as to why the continued hold up or any new delays for example
Comment by Zoe posted on
Thank you for your reply.
I've spoken to the solicitor and he said they've sent a request to escalate our case on the portal and I have emailed the case number to the email above.
I will await a response.
Thanks
Comment by Mr A S G Manzini posted on
Good afternoon
I am in the process of selling my leasehold flat, which is a part of freehold title AGL244726
My sale is on hold and I am at risk of losing my buyer(!!) as there is a pending application for the transfer of this freehold title dating back July 2019!
Apparently this delay in completing the registration is due to the fact that the freehold transfer concerns several freeholds, not just AGL244726
I understand my solicitor sent a letter to expedite the registration to the freeholder solicitor , who uploaded it on the LR application as I am under considerable pressure to get this sorted by my buyer
I am wondering whether I can get an indication on how long it will take now for this pending registration to be completed and whether it is just something that the LR should action now or LR is still waiting for some info or documents from the freehold ? Thank you
Comment by AdamH posted on
Mr A S G Manzini - we have two applications against that title dated Oct and Nov 2019.
Neither have been expedited but there are outstanding issues involving linked titles as you suggest.
If the leasehold purchase is dependent on the freehold title update then it’s the freehold solicitor you need to ask re state of play and timescales for resolving those issues.
Expedition only works if the applications can be completed and unfortunately that’s not the case here.
Comment by Mr A S G Manzini posted on
Thank you Adam, this is helpful
I will certainly try to find out more through the freeholder solicitor, but could you please let me know why two applications and what briefly the two issues are about?
Comment by AdamH posted on
Mr A S G - I’m afraid not. You would need to carry out a search (form OS3) to confirm what the applications are for. Your solicitor will already know of course if they are preventing completion
Comment by Mr A S G Manzini posted on
Thanks Adam
Would in theory be possible to submit an application to register only the freehold title related to my property? I.e. To spin-off one title from the main application so that this get registered, although it has been bought by my freeholder along with other freehold titles
Comment by AdamH posted on
Mr A S G Manzini - it’s one application against multiple titles so it’s unlikely. I’d suggest your solicitor tries to clarify the position, urgency and if there is a way forward.
Comment by Mr A S G Manzini posted on
Good afternoon Adam, I am told by my solicitor that the freeholder solicitors now believe there are no requisitions left to respond to and the matter i.e. the registration is in the LR hands
They also said they chased the LR to complete the registration
Could you please confirm this is now the case?
Thank you
Comment by AdamH posted on
Mr A S G Manzini - I can’t see any details re a ‘chase’ but I’ll see if I can get any more info from colleagues
Comment by AdamH posted on
Mr Manzini - we’ve managed to update the AGL title for you so hopefully things can move on now
Comment by Mr A S G Manzini posted on
Thank you Adam !!
Comment by Alex posted on
Hi there, can you please advise on the status of my lease extension registration? My solicitor submitted the application in July. Title TGL114243 and reference numbers U271YLR and NB86112. Many thanks, Alex
Comment by AdamH posted on
Alex - as it was only lodged in July it’s likely to be some time yet before it’s considered
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-impact-on-hm-land-registrys-services#impact-on-our-services
If there’s an urgency speak to your conveyancer about requesting expedition
Comment by Alex posted on
Hello Adam,
can you please provide an update on the registration of my lease extension? My solicitor submitted the application in July 2020, it's been 6 months now.
Title TGL114243 and reference numbers U271YLR and NB86112.
Many thanks,
Alex
Comment by AdamH posted on
Alex - still with us and waiting to be processed I’m afraid and likely to be some months yet before it is. The lease extension is protected so if there’s no urgency then please continue to bear with us.
Comment by Alex posted on
Thanks.
Comment by Alex posted on
Thanks, no need for urgency, but hopefully it can be processed in 2020?
Comment by AdamH posted on
Alex - possible but unlikely at present
Comment by Ian posted on
My house has no details registered other than the correct address. My title deeds are held in the Halifax deed store (so I don't have access to them). I don't have the Land Registry Title number. How can I find this out?
Comment by AdamH posted on
Ian - it reads as if your are suggesting it’s unregistered. If so I assume you’ve owned it for many years, 30+ at least?
If so then your property won’t have a title number and your deeds are your proof of ownership
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/first-registrations
Comment by Ian posted on
Hi Adam. That's correct - we've owned the property for 36years.
We're just going through the process of changing ownership from Tenants in Common to Joint Tenants and notice on the various forms that a Land Registry Title number is required (or at least it's asked for), hence my question. So I guess I just leave it blank?
Comment by AdamH posted on
Ian - if it’s unregistered then the form you are referring to won’t change anything. If you are changing how you both hold an unregistered title you’ll need to look at alternatives such as a trust deed, trust declaration or something which reverses or cancels whatever you had done previously to become say TIC.
But whatever you do doesn’t lead to you notifying us as your property is unregistered.
Comment by Ian posted on
Hi Adam,
Thanks.
My new trust deed template and the ST5 both have reference to Title number along with the address.
My wife and I are are only 'form filling' to go from TIC to JT. Leaving it blank or putting N/A would both seem appropriate.
Comment by AdamH posted on
Ian - but it’s unregistered and our prescribed forms are for registered land/property.
The only form you might use is form JO which can be used when you register for the first time.
Comment by Ian posted on
Thanks Adam,
So therefore if I don't have a need to register the property (and I don't see there's any benefit in doing so), I don't need to do anything beyond keeping the new Declaration of Trust (in favour of our Joint Tenancy) in a safe place.
Comment by Ian posted on
Very clear now Adam, thank you for your help (and patience!).