The Society of Licensed Conveyancers (SLC) has recently issued a position paper addressing the ongoing backlogs at His Majesty’s Land Registry (HMLR). This paper highlights the critical issues faced by conveyancers and their clients due to these delays and proposes actionable solutions to mitigate the impact.

Background and Current Challenges

The SLC has long been vocal about the significant backlogs at HMLR, which it believes have persisted since the government’s cost-cutting measures and the abandoned plans for privatisation in 2016. These measures led to the loss of experienced staff, whose absence continues to affect the efficiency of HMLR operations. The situation was further exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and the stamp duty holidays, which increased the volume of transactions and, consequently, the strain on HMLR.

One of the primary issues identified is the delay in the registration of first titles, transfers of part, and complex leasehold matters. These delays not only frustrate clients but also create additional work for conveyancers, who must handle queries from mortgage lenders and manage client expectations when registrations are not completed in a timely manner.

Quality of Submissions and Requisitions

While HMLR has suggested that poor-quality applications contribute to the backlogs, the SLC acknowledges that even minor discrepancies in submissions can lead to requisitions. The SLC emphasises the importance of improving the quality of submissions and urges HMLR to use Management Information (MI) to identify and assist firms that need to improve their submission processes.

Proposed Solutions

The SLC’s position paper outlines several proposals to address these challenges:

  1. Collaboration with Professional Bodies: HMLR should engage with all professional and trade bodies involved in conveyancing to agree on how MI can be used to reduce submission errors and the number of requisitions.
  2. Improving Submission Quality: The SLC is committed to helping its members reduce errors in submissions and will continue to work with HMLR to achieve this goal.
  3. Addressing Registration Delays: The SLC calls for HMLR to take full accountability for the delays and work towards reducing the backlog, which has a significant impact on conveyancers and their clients.

Conclusion

The SLC’s position paper is a crucial step towards addressing the persistent issues at HMLR. By proposing collaborative efforts and focusing on improving submission quality, the SLC aims to alleviate the strain on conveyancers and ensure a smoother, more efficient registration process for all parties involved.

For more detailed information, you can read the full position paper on the SLC’s official website.