How long until my application is registered and why are there delays?
We are asked this question quite frequently, and it is hard to advise clients on exact timescales as there are mounting delays at the Land Registry stemming from Covid-19.
The Land Registry have advised Conveyancers that processing times for updating the register (adding a mortgage or changing ownership) can take about 4 to 6 weeks, and creating a new register (First Registration, Transfer of Part or New Lease) take anything to between 6 to 12 months.
These are only estimated timescales, and it’s not uncommon for a complex application to take a year, and a simple application to take 2 months.
Delays to processing times of applications at the Land Registry has been the cause of havoc in the property market, and as a firm have been seeing a surge of queries from clients wondering why their applications have still not completed.
The Land Registry was already operating a significant delay prior to Covid-19, but this has been hugely exacerbated in the past year.
The Land Registry launched a Digital Registration Service and View My Applications on 28 April 2021, which was designed to fix some of the simple application errors that delay registration, and it is hoped that going forwards their processing times will improve. However, delays still ensue and checking View My Applications provides estimated timescales for when applications are completed. We have seen simple applications taking at least 2-3 months to complete based on View My Applications.
Can anything be done to get the application done quicker?
Quite simply the answer is yes and no.
Where an application is delayed at the Land Registry and the delay is causing financial hardship or a pending sale, the conveyancer who lodged the application can submit a request to expedite the application. This can be achieved by a request to the Land Registry via their Portal system.
There is also an option to expedite an application, which is causing a delay to a subsequent application.
An application for expedition on other grounds will not be approved.
We regularly advise our clients during the transaction of the current timescales to manage expectations and frequently use the View My Applications to confirm the present position with our clients.
If you require further advise or information regarding applications please contact the Conveyancing Department at Quality Solicitors J A Hughes.