Land Registry Delay

deFoix

Hi all,

I completed on my flat back at the start of April and it seems the land registry has a rather large queue. I contacted them and I got a response saying because of a large influx of 'new title' type work and it was taking longer to process. They couldn't give me a meaningful time-frame to complete this work either .

I'm happy to be patient and wait but I'm interested to know what exactly the land registry do. What does this processing involve?

Also I need to start a planning application for new windows and I'm told I need proof of title to apply.

Also the Vendor and Vendor's solicitor were notoriously slow and for example didn't even bother to correct typos in the Post Code and my address until the 11th hour during my conveyancing and I wonder if they have also contributed to the delay?

Cheers,

davidmcn

Boler1985 wrote: »

I need to start a planning application for new windows and I'm told I need proof of title to apply.

Presumably you'll have confirmation from your solicitor that you completed the purchase, and they'll have an acknowledgement from the Land Registry of your application. How long it takes the Land Registry to complete registration doesn't affect the fact that you have a legal title to the flat.

dc197

You don't normally need "proof of title" (I presume you mean proof that you hold the title) to apply for planning permission.
Usually, I could apply for permission to change your windows.

westv

Land Reg really do appear to be snowed under at present. Weekend (inc some Sundays) and evening overtime + a batch of temp staff being hired.

deFoix

Ok, thanks for the info, I'll can start the ball rolling then.

Can someone shed some light on what LL actually do though? Presumably there are some controls to check that everything has been done properly but I'm not sure what that might be. I mean do they just check some paperwork and 'stamp' as approved?


Cheers.

G_M

I'm guessing that this is a 'First Registration'?

This is far more complex than where an already registered property changes ownership.

In the latter case, yes, they just check the form TR1 etc, and ensure SDLT has been dealt with, then add the new owner's name to the Register.

A First Registration however, is by definition more involved. It might be an old property that has never been registered (typically not bought, sold or mortgaged in the last 30 odd years). The LR have to ensure that the seller actually owned the property. This should, of course, have been done by the buyer's conveyancer, but the LR must also be fully satisfied before they can register the land in the buyer's name.

Typically that involves looking at historic documents which prove the seller was the owner, and that the person the seller bought from was in turn also the owner. etc.

Many of these documents are long and written in obscure language, but they must be checked carefully. Any mistake would have serious implications. Often too, some of the documents may be missing, so the LR may need to raise extra queries (though again, a good conveyancer should have already done so).

With a New Build property there are similar issues. A large plot of land is sold off in smaller packages. The ownership of the large plot needs confirming, but also the Plan (map) of each smaller plot must be checked.

It all takes time.