HM Land Registry (HMLR) has published a blog post, highlighting recent improvements to its registration service. Key operational changes include the recruitment of 2,000 new caseworkers and the launch of a Land Registration Academy for their training, organisational restructuring to better meet market demands, and increased investment in automation, artificial intelligence, and secure digital services to reduce delays and enhance accuracy. HMLR also surpassed its March 2025 goal of processing 95% of applications within 12 months of their submission. From April 2025, firms will receive emails with insights into common avoidable errors and how to prevent them. HMLR is also improving its Estimated Completion Date tool for more accurate timelines. Additionally, it plans to publish a new Business Plan and Strategy in response to expectations set by the Minister of State for Housing and Planning, Matthew Pennycook MP, in March 2025, focusing on automating simpler tasks, improving digital checks to reduce requisitions, simplifying fees, and supporting a more streamlined, digital homebuying process.

HM Land Registry (HMLR) has published a blog post announcing changes to standardise easement descriptions in title registers, effective from 8 September 2025. The update will replace current variations in terminology with the standard wording: ‘The title includes any legal easements’. HMLR will also enhance qualification notes for easement entries to provide greater clarity on their scope and legal status. These changes apply only to new registrations, with existing entries remaining valid. Application procedures and evidence requirements for easement registration remain unchanged.

HM Land Registry (HMLR) has published a blog post providing information to conveyancers regarding restrictions on a property title. The blog post explains the complexities surrounding dealing with restrictions where both restrictioners are deceased. HMLR has also highlighted circumstances in which it would be appropriate to refer an application to its Ask for Guidance team.

HM Land Registry (HMLR) has published a blog post an updated avoidable requisitions dataset on GOV.UK. The dataset indicates a 7% reduction in avoidable requisition rates over the preceding six months. Avoidable requisitions occur when applications contain missing, unclear, or inconsistent information that could have been prevented. In May 2026, HMLR notified the relevant persons associated with each organisation’s portal account of their latest rate via email. The next dataset is scheduled for publication in December 2026, with interim email updates to be provided to customers beforehand.

HM Land Registry (HMLR) has published several guidance documents to assist customers in submitting certain types of applications through its Digital Registration Service (DRS). These include guidance on applications for lease closures with a transfer of part or a new lease, closing an old lease and registering a new lease for the same property and tenant, noting leases that cannot be registered, registering or noting a new lease, and standalone lease closures.

HM Land Registry (HMLR) has published guidance on the distinction between discounts and incentives in developer applications. Discounts involve a cash sum deducted from the purchase price of a property, while incentives are offers unrelated to the purchase price, such as help with moving costs/stamp duty land tax or upgrades to fittings. HMLR clarified that it deducts discounts from the purchase price but takes no action on incentives. Purchasers are advised to accurately report the net price paid in the consideration panel of the TP1 form, identifying any discounts or incentives in the additional provisions panel. The guidance provides examples on how to properly report prices and avoid requisitions to avoid confusion, streamline communication between HMLR and conveyancers, and maintain the accuracy of price-paid data.

HM Land Registry (HMLR) has published information, as part two of its blog series on reducing the number of requisitions, examining and addressing the scale and cost of requisitions. HMLR analysed the number of requisitions sent from October 2023 to September 2024 in relation to ten groupings of administrative errors and omissions, totalling over 600,000 points. In addition, HMLR highlighted the significant economic impact, noting that these ‘minor mistakes’ cost the industry between £3.2m and £19.1m annually. These requisitions also contribute to an average delay of 15 working days in the registration process for transactions.

HM Land Registry (HMLR) has published three guidance documents and two resource pages. The documents provide guidance on: (1) obtaining more information about properties in England and Wales; (2) how property professionals can work with HMLR; and (3) how to apply to change or update the register, including changing existing details or registering land for the first time. The two resource pages comprise a collection of guidance documents on using HMLR’s digital services and additional information on working with HMLR.

HM Land Registry (HMLR) has published an updated framework document setting out its governance and accountability arrangements. The document, which is agreed with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) in line with HM Treasury’s (HMT) Managing Public Money (MPM) handbook, defines HMLR’s core responsibilities and explains the governance and accountability framework between HMLR, MHCLG and HMT. It does not confer legal powers or responsibilities but records how the parties have agreed to operate. The framework document was originally published on 30 July 2014 and replaces the previous framework document from November 2020.

HM Land Registry (HMLR) has launched a new consultation seeking views on the future fees and charging structure of the organisation. Views are sought on supporting the land and property information agenda, encouraging innovation through better and open access to HMLR data and modernising and simplifying the fee structure to create fees which are fair and reasonable across its entire customer base. The consultation closes at 11.59pm on 5 April 2024.

HM Land Registry (HMLR) has published a blog post, announcing a more simplified and streamlined registration process for personal covenants. A new standardised entry will now appear in the register for all types of personal covenants, regardless of their nature. This change aims to improve accessibility, with the relevant deed now available for immediate download through the portal. HMLR has confirmed that the ‘chain of indemnity’ concept remains intact, ensuring the transfer of liability for positive covenant breaches with each property sale.

HM Land Registry (HMLR) has announced that it will now accept documents signed using Qualified Electronic Signatures (QES) for land registration applications. This technology removes the requirement for third party witnesses during deed execution, replacing that step with a secure electronic signature system. HMLR states that QES tools utilise established, regulated technology to provide enhanced security and assurance in property transactions. Conveyancers and their clients are encouraged to adopt QES. HMLR intends to release further details on its work with QES applications in the coming months.