Registers of Scotland partial shutdown

davidmcn

Just announced that the Registers of Scotland are sending their remaining office-based staff home at close of business today, so won't be accepting any more paper applications. Online applications in the Land Register are still being accepted, but that's going to be of limited use for most purchases/sales, so I think this is likely to b*gger up any transactions due to settle after today (or even today unless you can personally present the application before 5pm).

In theory transactions could complete, but only if everybody is prepared to take the risk of not knowing when they'll be able to get things on the registers (or whether searches will still be clear by whenever then is). Might be a more flexible online solution found before too long.

https://www.ros.gov.uk/covid-19/temporary-closure-of-the-application-record
https://www.lawscot.org.uk/news-and-events/legal-news/registers-of-scotland-halts-paper-applications/

Rural_Puppy

Oh shizz!
We are selling, missives concluded, DoE early April.
House almost empty. Are we effectively screwed for the transaction happening? Our currebt title is already in the new land register. Can the application be submitted digitally?

davidmcn

Rural_Puppy said:

Oh shizz!
We are selling, missives concluded, DoE early April.
House almost empty. Are we effectively screwed for the transaction happening?

Might be ok if it's a type of transaction which can be registered online (i.e. straightforward sale of an already-registered property without new plans / title conditions), though I think there's been limited takeup of that so far amongst the profession, and the fact everybody is now scattered to their home offices isn't going to help. Wait and see what happens, I guess.

UpstartCrow

Its not partially closed. It is closed leaving people high and dry. I was waiting on completion yesterday. Registers of Scotland have no contingency planning in place.