HM Land Registry (HMLR) has introduced a redesigned digital ‘Report an error’ form to make it easier and quicker to report errors in the register, title plan, copy documents or searches of the index map, following user research with professional customers and members of the public, as outlined by Process Lead in Customer and Specialised Services, Matthew Wilson. HMLR developed a clearer and more streamlined form in response to feedback that the previous process was not always straightforward, with the aim of gathering the necessary information at the outset, reducing follow-up enquiries, improving processing times and resolving cases more quickly; it has also created more direct online routes to encourage use of the form rather than email or telephone contact.

HM Land Registry (HMLR) has published Practice Guide 83—Alteration, which provides guidance on alterations to the register under schedule 4 to the Land Registration Act 2002 (LRA 2002). HMLR has also updated Practice Guide 4—Adverse possession of registered land, Practice Guide 5—Adverse possession of (1) unregistered land and (2) registered land where a right to be registered was acquired before 13 October 2003, and form FR1—First registration: application.

HM Land Registry (HMLR) has published its annual report and accounts 2025–26, outlining progress in improving customer services, advancing digital transformation and supporting wider property market reform.

HM Land Registry (HMLR) has published a blog post addressing common questions following its decision to accept Qualified Electronic Signatures (QES) for applications. It reiterates that under section 91 of the Land Registration Act 2002, a single document must be signed rather than original and counterpart documents. HMLR notes current technical challenges with counterpart signing and encourages QES providers to collaborate with practitioners to develop solutions. It confirms that mixed-mode signing is not permitted, as wet signatures cannot be added to secured digital documents.

HM Land Registry (HMLR) has published a blog post, detailing key improvements to its digital services over the last year. In November 2024, HMLR launched a new feature that enables portal users to view requisitions responses and additional documentation submitted by themselves or colleagues using the reply to requisitions function. HMLR also highlights recent updates to its Digital Registration Service (DRS), which simplifies the process of adding additional parties to DRS applications. Additionally, HMLR is developing a new registration service for Business Gateway users through a suite of new APIs to replace its existing e-DRS service. This new service will include improved data validation to detect administrative errors before applications are accepted onto the day list. HMLR plans to commence testing with early adopters in April 2025, with a full rollout to all Business Gateway customers scheduled for October 2025.

HM Land Registry (HMLR) has published a blog post inviting legal professionals involved in recording and submitting contractual control information to take part in a private beta of its new service in November 2026 and provide feedback before the planned April 2027 launch. The Provision of Information (Contractual Control) (Registered Land) Regulations 2026 have been made and will come into force on 6 April 2027. They will require information about certain land agreements such as options, conditional contracts and pre-emption rights, to be submitted digitally to HMLR through a regulated conveyancer. HMLR is developing the new service to enable conveyancers to record and submit this contractual control information.

HM Land Registry (HMLR) has published a blog post, announcing updates to its Digital Registration Service (DRS). As of 31 March 2025, customers can add landlord and tenant details as additional parties to applications. This update builds on previous improvements announced in September 2024. Customers can also specify the capacity in which parties are acting, verify identities, add representation, and provide supporting evidence for amendments, removals, or additions. This information will populate the appropriate panels of the e-AP1. Additionally, HMLR is developing functionality to ensure the DRS alerts users to title restrictions that may affect their applications and prompt them to upload evidence of compliance. These enhancements aim to reduce errors and requisitions.

HM Land Registry (HMLR) has published a blog post, outlining the progress of its Local Land Charges (LLC) Programme. The blog reveals that one-third of local authorities have migrated to the national LLC Register, another third are in active delivery, and the remaining third have signed up and begun work on pre-migration action plans. Currently, 110 local authority datasets have been migrated, reducing the time to receive results from days or weeks to instant online availability. By 2028, more than 300 local authorities in England and Wales will have transitioned to the LLC Register. The next phase will focus on expanding opportunities for reusing the digitised LLC dataset to promote economic growth. HMLR will work with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to build on its existing work in digitising property information and collaborate with various local authorities to identify the best methods for digitising more data, particularly building control and highways information, which are currently paper-based. Further details on these initiatives will be announced soon.

HM Land Registry (HMLR) has published a blog post outlining its strategy to combine automation with enhanced caseworker training to improve application processing times. The approach focuses on automating routine tasks while training staff to handle complex applications requiring expert judgment, such as multi-title applications and first registrations. HMLR reports the implementation of specialist teams for complex applications and increased automation of routine processes. HMLR indicates that further developments in automation and training will be announced in the coming months.

HM Land Registry (HMLR) has published a blog post, outlining how caseworkers investigate and process easement registration applications. During the initial investigation, HMLR examines how the land affected by the easement (the servient land), is defined in the deed. The blog emphasises the importance of clearly defining the servient land by direct reference to the relevant title numbers and specifying its extent at the date of the grant. Where definitions are unclear, HMLR may issue requisitions or add a note to the entry, stating that easements are ‘included in the title only in so far as the Transferor has power to grant the same and are capable of subsisting at law at the date of the grant’. The blog also addresses common issues such as restrictions, charges, and leases that affect the grantor's power to grant easements. Additionally, HMLR highlights the importance of properly prepared plans when submitting easement registration applications, advising that easements should be clearly marked on plans using appropriate lines, edging or tinting, with plans to be submitted in full colour and signed by the grantor.

HM Land Registry (HMLR) has published a blog post outlining plans to modernise its digital services and reduce application processing times. It has already automated several simpler application types, including 30,000 additional Charge applications in the past financial year, and intends to further expand its internal automation by bringing more applications into its Application Processing engine. HMLR has enhanced the Digital Registration Service (DRS) with additional functionality and plans to decommission legacy application services, such as eDRS by spring 2026. It has also expanded its work on Qualified Electronic Signatures, working with lenders to process electronically signed deeds. In addition, HMLR is developing a new application system that performs digital validation checks for Business Gateway submissions. This system is currently being tested with early adopters ahead of a wider rollout in autumn 2025. By 2028, the new system is expected to save customers approximately 300,000 hours annually.

HM Land Registry (HMLR) has published a blog post, outlining its efforts to combat property fraud and educate the public on preventative measures. The post highlights that HMLR prevented over £340m worth of property fraud between 2009 and 2023, including more than £123m in registered title fraud over the past five years. HMLR also noted its free Property Alert service, which notifies property owners of certain register activities, and discusses the option of applying for a Form LL restriction to safeguard against identity theft-based fraud. It also details HMLR's property fraud hotline and relevant provisions in the Land Registration Act 2002 (LRA 2002) for rectifying the register or providing compensation in cases of fraud.