How long does Land Registry take?

The Land Registry is one of the central aspects of the real estate industry in the UK, offering essential services as part of completing land and property transactions. Other services include registering property, registering transfers, updating charges and changes to legal ownership rights, official searches, and protecting titles and deeds.

But how long do these services take? In this article, we're taking you through the processing times of different land registry applications, and how the Land Registry is making efforts to improve delays.

How long does Land Registry take?

There isn't a one-size-fits-all answer. Processing times differ depending on a number of factors, from the type and complexity of the application to the number of outstanding applications being processed at the time you make yours.

If you submit a complex application during a busy period, for example, it can take significantly longer to process than a simple Land Registry application during a quiet period.

How long does each type of application take?

Different applications take varying amounts of time to process.

Transfer of ownership

Those who want to transfer ownership of a property from the seller's name to the buyer's name need to make a transfer of ownership application.

It can take longer to complete if there are complications with the application or if Land Registry officials require clarification about any information given (usually 7-9 months).

According to the Land Registry's data, the transfer of ownership timescales (which includes the registration of property transfers, updating charges against a property, changing names on property and transfer ownership after death are split as:

28.8% within 1 day, 8.8% within 1 week, 30.6% within 1 month, and 31.8% over 1 month.

Over half of all requests to update the land register take four weeks to process, with most being completed in just over 3 months.

Check out one of our previous blogs to find out more about transfer of ownership and equity transfers.

Registrations of Title

The registration process refers to the public record of land and property ownership. The Register of Title is kept by HM Land Registry, and records any estates in land, rent charges, franchises and profits.

This application type is usually the most straightforward, and can be completed in a few days. But again, more complex applications can take longer to process.

More complex changes and new entries

These applications include multi-title applications submitted by developers, or major infrastructure projects. They may also include registering a property for the first time, dividing existing titles or lodging a new lease. Due to their complexity, the vast majority of these cases have delays.

Mortgage applications

Because mortgage applications need a deeper, more complex level of investigation by the Land Registry, they often take longer than other application types.

Leasehold applications

Leasehold applications need more documentation and information than freehold applications. 50% of cases for the division of existing titles or the registration of a new lease take 14 months to complete, while most are completed in around 23 months.

What causes Land Registry delays?

Lots of different things can cause Land Registry delays, from missing documentation to errors in the application. The amount of Land Registry applications can also cause significant delays; if there's a higher workload, it'll naturally take longer for your application to be processed.

Issues with land registry delays

Land registry delays can cause issues for those who want to buy and sell property. The main issue with ongoing delays is that the new owner only has beneficial interest in the property until the ownership transfer is completed.

This means it's held in trust by the seller for the buyer until the Land Registry has finished registering the property. (No details of the new legal owner are given during the registration process prior to its completion.)

This may cause problems for borrowers and lenders who need to process new mortgages and remortgages. There may be financial penalties if the delays go on for too long.

Delays also cause issues for landlords unable to grant a new lease, developers who can't complete the sale of a newly built property, and business owners who want to sell their side of the business to a new partner.

How to speed up the Land Registry process

If you want your application to be processed as quickly as possible, the best thing you can do is make sure every single part of your application is complete and 100% accurate. Check, double check, triple check all the documentation and information before sending it to the Land Registry.

It's also really important to seek support and guidance from your solicitor throughout the entire process to make sure everything is being done properly.

What is being done to help fast track land registry applications?

The Land Registry has made some changes to improve issues caused by delays, such as recruiting dedicated teams focused on improving speed of future transactions, as well as digitising its services.

In the last few years, they have increased their overall caseworker resource by 1000 to help manage the workload. They're also aiming towards a significant increase in the amount of automation used in the register (up to 70% applications to change the register in the next three years).

They've appointed two dedicated teams to solely focus on the oldest, most complex cases with the specific aim to reduce processing times for these applications.

The expedited Land Registry service

If delays to your application would cause significant issues to a property transaction or property sale, the Land Registry launched a free expedite service to fast track your application as a top priority. You can do this via your conveyancer through the HM Land Registry portal.

For example, delays could cause problems not related to a land transaction, or put a refinancing deal or major infrastructure projects at risk. It's completely free, and if it's approved, your application will be processed within ten working days.

Much like standard applications, you need to ensure you provide as much evidence of negative impact as possible if you want your fast track application to be approved (and of course, make sure everything is completely accurate to avoid more errors).

For example, you may need to include a copy of the sale or purchase contract, a mortgage offer letter, or details of the impact that any delays would cause.

Official searches and services

With any property transaction, a conveyancer has to search the Land Register before someone can buy or sell the property. These searches will provide all the information relating to that property, which will be needed for the final transaction. If these searches don't happen quickly, it can delay the whole process.

Register update services (also known as changes to existing registered titles) include registering property transfers, changing names on a property, or updating charges against a property. These services usually happen once a property has been sold, after stamp duty has been paid, and once the property has exchanged hands.

Over 30% of register update applications are automated, which means they can be processed within minutes. Manually handled applications will take between four weeks and four months to complete.

Read more about registering a property here.

Average timelines for different applications

Government guidance suggests the average timelines for different applications.

Registering a property for the first time

At the earliest, your application to register a property for the first time will be completed in four to twelve months. On average, it will take 13 to 16 months, but nearly all of these application types will take 14 to 16 months to complete.

Routine ownership, mortgage and other changes to existing registered titles

At the earliest, your application will be completed within one day, but the average time period is two to 25 days, with most cases taking six to twelve weeks.

More complex changes to existing registered titles

At the earliest, your application will be completed within one day, but the average time period is four to five months, with most cases taking seven to nine months.

Registering purchases of plots on new developments

At the earliest, your application will be completed within nine to ten months, but the average time period is eleven to fourteen, with most cases taking 19 to 21 months.

Registering purchases of part of a registered property that is not a new development

At the earliest, your application will be completed within eight to 14 months, but the average time period is 15 to 17 months, with most cases taking 21 to 24 months.

Dividing existing titles (transfers of part) or registering new leases (dispositionary first lease)

Half of these applications take around 13 months, while nearly all are completed in approximately 20 months when preparatory work has been done. Where it hasn't been done, half are completed in 17 months, while almost all take around 22 months.

Summary: Keep your application accurate!

So, how long does Land Registry take? Unfortunately there isn't a set answer. It depends on the application type, the complexity of your case, and the volume of applications being processed at the time.

To make the process as smooth and quick as possible, make sure all your details are up to date, thorough and accurate. And always seek advice if you're unsure about anything.

And if you're thinking about a property valuation make sure to check out our Online Valuation Tool today!