Guidance

Notice 6: Applications made orally at an HM Land Registry office (effective 21 November 2022)

Updated 16 November 2023

Applies to England and Wales

Notice given by the registrar under Schedule 2 to the Land Registration Rules 2003

References to the Land Registration Rules 2003

1.In this notice:-

(a) a reference to a rule or Schedule by number is a reference to he rule or Schedule so numbered in the Land Registration Rules 2003 (SI 2003/1417), as amended from time to time.

(b) “working day” has the same meaning as in rule 217.

Currency of notice

2.This Notice shall be current for the purposes of Schedule 2 on and after 21 November 2022 and replaces on that date the notice dated 29 August 2018 in respect of applications made orally at an HM Land Registry office, Customer Information Centre.

Applications made orally

3.Applications referred to in paragraph 4.1 may be made orally:

(a) by prior appointment only at an HM Land Registry office,

(b) in all cases an appointment must be made at least five working days in advance before attendance at the relevant office.

(c) appointments will only be available:-

(i) to allow customers to make applications to inspect and make copies of the registers and documents under section 66(1) of the Land Registration Act 2002 to which rule 133 and/or rule 140(2)(a) applies, or

(ii) where the registrar considers that the customer has demonstrated a need which cannot be fulfilled by another method of communication with HM Land Registry.

Services available

4.1 Arrangements have been made for dealing with the following applications and matters orally at an HM Land Registry Office:

(a) applications to inspect and make copies of the registers and documents under section 66(1) of the Land Registration Act 2002, to which rule 133 applies,

(b) applications for official copies of a registered title or the cautions register under rule 134,

(c) applications for official copies of documents referred to in the register of title and other documents kept by the registrar under rule 135,

(d) applications for an official search with priority of the whole of the estate in a registered title or the whole of the estate in a pending first registration application under rule 147,

(e) issuing official certificates of search with priority of the whole of the estate in a registered title or the whole of the estate in a pending first registration application under rule 149, and

(f) applications for an official search without priority of the whole estate in a registered title under rule 155.

4.2 This notice is not a relevant notice for the purposes of rules 133(11), 134(8) and 135(5). Only inspection and copies of the whole of a register or document may be made.

5.The services are subject to the appropriate provisions in paragraphs 6 to 11.

When the services are available

6.Applications may only be made in the course of an appointment as required by paragraph 3, on a day within sub-paragraph (a) and at a time within sub-paragraph (b).

(a) Days when open

Any day Monday to Friday which is not Christmas Day, Good Friday or a day specified as or proclaimed to be a bank holiday in England and Wales in or under the Banking and Financial Dealings Act 1971.

(b) Time of day

Between 0900 hours and 1600 hours on a day within (a).

7.Applicants cannot be seen without an appointment.

Limitations on the services available

8.Applications under paragraph 4(a) to inspect and copy documents may only be made in respect of registers and documents kept by the registrar in electronic form or, where the register and/or document is not kept in electronic form, at least five working days prior notice has been given by the applicant to the registrar of the register and/or document they wish to inspect and copy and the registrar has confirmed that it will be available.

9.Applications under paragraph 4(b) and (c) for official copies may only be made in respect of registers and documents kept by the registrar in electronic form or, where the register and/or document is not kept in electronic form, at least five working days prior notice has been given by the applicant to the registrar of the register and/or document they wish to inspect and copy and the registrar has confirmed that it will be available.

10.An official certificate of search may be issued orally only where:

(a) in the case of an official search of a register, the result of the search states that there are no adverse entries, no pending applications and no official searches no official searches which fall within paragraphs F, G or H of Part 3 of Schedule 6,

(b) in the case of an official search of land subject to a pending first registration, the result of the search states that there are no pending applications and no official searches which fall within paragraphs H or I of Part 4 of Schedule 6.

Required particulars

11.Each applicant shall provide such information requested by a member of HM Land Registry as is required in the form prescribed for the application when made by way of post, document exchange or personal delivery.

Signed: Emily d’Albuquerque
General Counsel
17 November 2022