Land Registry Delays

Land Registry Delays

We are experiencing many queries as a result of delays at theLand Registry. Clients are sometimes finding it difficult to believe that once an application is lodged at the Land Registry it can take some months for the application to be completed. Please be assured that it is no benefit for Solicitors to have their Land Registry application take so long for to be dealt with.

The Land Registry has been operating with substantial delays since the coronavirus pandemic. On 19 April 2021, the Land Registry had stated that they were processing applications submitted in July 2020. This can be a frustrating time for Buyers, Landlords and Developers as until they are registered legal owner by application to the Land Registry many issues can arise including; penalty interest rates, not being able to grant leases or serve notice to tenants and selling New Build developments.

This can be a difficult time for buyers and Landlords and Developers. At HB 121 Solicitors in Wolverhampton, Kidderminster and Stourport-on-Severn our highly qualified Conveyancing Solicitors are here to guide you and keep you updated with all applications lodged to the land registry.

Can An Application Be Completed Quicker?

Where an application is delayed at the Land Registry and the delay is causing financial hardship or a pending sale, the conveyancer who lodged the application can submit a request to expedite the application. This can be achieved by a request to the Land Registry via their Portal system.

There is also an option to expedite an application, which is causing a delay to a subsequent application.

An application for expedition on other grounds will not be approved.

It should be appreciated that often waiting to hear whether an application has been approved for expedition can take longer than it takesfor a more complex application to be dealt with.

What If Expedition Is Unavailable

At HB 121 Solicitors we can recommend to proceed to completion with pending registration. Our solicitors take great care in checking pending applications to confirm the application is in good order so difficulties and frustrations in the future can be minimised. Our solicitors complete the following:

  • Checking the original / certified copy transfer or lease.
  • Examining the existing title.
  • Checking that stamp duty land tax has been paid (if applicable).
  • Asking the seller’s solicitor to verify the identity of the seller.
  • Carrying out insolvency / bankruptcy checks.
  • Checking that there the purchaser / borrower has consents to all restrictions on the existing title and any contained in the new title documents.
  • Ensuring any plans attached to the transfer or lease are acceptable and correctly signed.
  • Checking whether there are any loans to be discharged.
  • Checking that the application is lodged with first priority or obtaining copies of all prior applications.
  • Obtaining undertakings from the relevant solicitors relating to the original documents and any requisitions that may be raised.

How long Will an Application Take?

The land registry has advised the following:

  • Updating the register - 4 – 6 Weeks
  • Creating a new register - 6 – 9 Months

Although this has been advised it is not uncommon in more complexapplications(and in our experience some straight forward ones) to take longer timescales. The Land Registry launched a Digital Registration Service on 28 April 2021, which may fix some of the simple application errors that delay registration, and it is hoped that going forwards their processing times will improve.

At HB 121 Solicitors in Wolverhampton, Kidderminster and Stourport-on-Severn our team of Conveyancing Solicitors regularly advise our clients of the current timescales to manage expectations and frequently use the View My Applications on your behalf to monitor progress and keep you updated. In circumstances where it is appropriate to request an expedite on your behalf, we will do so and keep you informed of progress.

To find out how we can assist, contact our officeson 01562 702655 or email us on info@hb121solicitors.co.uk or make and online enquiry and one of our team will be in touch.



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