Practice and Process March 2025

Issue 24

13 March 2025

The second anniversary of Practice and Process' launch issue fell on 9 March, so we're already into the newsletter's third year. We like to think it's now firmly established as a prime means of communicating with you, our customers, as it has 15,400 subscribers and the number is steadily growing. If you find it useful, please spread the word among your colleagues about signing up.

PG8

Two business partners working together across a desk, with pens poised above a document and one handing an envelope to the other.

Which practice guide has changed?
Practice guide 8: execution of deeds

When did it change?
24 February 2025

What has changed?
We have amended section 2.7.2.

What does it mean for customers?

The guidance on limited partnerships has been amended to clarify that we will now accept a certificate by the conveyancer acting for the limited partnership stating that a deed has been duly and properly executed in accordance with the partnership's constitution.

PG16

Front page of the Land Registration Rules 2003, under the heading 'Statutory instruments, 2003 No.1417, Land Registration, England and Wales, The Land Registration Rules 2003'.

Which practice guide has changed?
Practice guide 16: profits a prendre (taking natural resources from another's land)

When did it change?
17 February 2025

What has changed?
We have amended sections 3 and 4.1.

What does it mean for customers?

The sections have been amended to clarify that form UN1 cannot be used to meet the registration requirements for noting a profit a prendre in gross as set out in paragraph 7 of Schedule 2 to the Land Registration Act 2002.

This is because form UN1 is not a form listed in rule 90 of the Land Registration Rules 2003.

PG43

Which practice guide has changed?
Practice guide 43: applications in connection with investigation or enforcement proceedings (court, insolvency, tax)

When did it change?
10 February 2025

What has changed?
We have amended section 8.

What does it mean for customers?

We have clarified that an officer of HM Revenue & Customs can apply using certificate L in form CIT.

PG79

A red Victorian post box set into the brick wall with a border of plants below.

Which practice guide has changed?
Practice guide 79: local land charges

When did it change?
17 February 2025

What has changed?
We have amended section 10.

What does it mean for customers?

The guidance has been amended as the result of a change of address for postal enquiries about local land charges. The appropriate address is now:

Local Land Charges
Processing Team
PO Box 7804
Bilston
WV1 9QP

Process changes

Two arrows on a chalkboard, the top arrow pointing left and marked 'Old Way', and the bottom arrow pointing right and marked 'New Way'.

Our new complaints process

Providing a high-quality, customer-focused service is a key priority for HM Land Registry, but we recognise that, at times, customers may feel unhappy with the service they have received.

We want to help put things right quickly and continuously improve our service, so we’re making it easier for our customers to get in touch.

As part of a new approach, this month we are launching a new online complaints process, making it simpler and more convenient for you to access the support you require.

As well as helping you, this will drive our understanding of how, together, we can improve our collective ways of working to better meet the needs of the public we all serve.

Please look out for our next update, coming soon in Landnet. If you don't already subscribe, you can sign up to Landnet here.

New practice guide 83: alteration

We published practice guide 83: alteration on 10 March. The new guide provides information about the purposes for which the register may be altered, either by the court or the registrar, under schedule 4 to the Land Registration Act 2002.

It also provides information about how to make an application for alteration, as well as explaining the limitations on the ability to alter the register where the alteration amounts to rectification.

New floor level field for portal search applications

We're adding a new 'floor level' field to both search of the index map (SIM) and search applications in the portal. Applications are often rejected when floor level information is not included, so by adding this dedicated field, applicants will know when they need to include it.

Time for a portal spring clean!

We are currently reviewing the data we hold and know that a number of customers need to update their details to maintain their portal access.

Now is the time to check your details so you don’t miss out on important information and updates.

A screenshot of a portal page with three boxes highlighted and an arrow pointing from the first to the second.

To find your personal details, hover the mouse pointer over Services on the green task bar at the top of the portal home screen, select the Administrative Services option and then Personal details on the right.

I want to change the responsible person for my account

Apply electronically

Or complete form AFS6

Must be signed by the existing responsible person or authorised equivalent – eg company secretary, company director or partner

State their position on the application

I want to add an additional administrator

Apply electronically

Or complete form AFS4a

Must be signed by the existing responsible person or deputy responsible person

I want to create another user account

Business unit administrator can apply in the portal

See below

A screenshot of a portal page with two boxes highlighted and an arrow pointing from the first to the second.

To check your business unit administrator, hover the mouse pointer over your name in the top-right of the home screen or select the drop-down arrow.

Thank you!

A head and shoulders photo of Adam Hookway.

Ask Adam
Thanks for another stimulating round of questions for Customer Policy Manager Adam Hookway. We thought it might be useful to clarify how Adam approaches the task of answering them. He's here to answer your questions about our practice and processes with a published reply. There are occasions, however, when we will reply to you directly, either because you need a faster reply or it’s appropriate to the nature of the question. If your question relates to a 'live' application, then please use our contact form. If it's regarding an application still to be submitted, please bear in mind that Adam won't make a definitive response but will do his best to offer guidance. In these circumstances, and if the answers you're seeking cannot be found in our practice guides, you can also consult an HM Land Registry expert using our Ask for guidance service, one of five specialist support services available for complex or bulk applications.

Anonymous: How do we clear off an equitable charge entry on a title if the lender is a private individual and unresponsive?

Adam: An application in form CN1 should be submitted along with supporting evidence to show that the charge/debt has been determined (paid off/redeemed). You should submit all the evidence you have that demonstrates the charge has been determined and it will then be considered as a whole. See section 2.7.1 of practice guide 19: notices, restrictions and the protection of third-party interests in the register.

Anonymous: I have a client who believes that they have a claim to an interest in a property owned by a deceased family member. Briefly, their grandmother owned a property for many years prior to her death. There were several children and it was agreed at the time of gran's death that the youngest could remain living in the property for as long as they wished. It is likely that this arrangement will continue for some time. There is believed to be no Will. The property is unregistered. What is the best way to protect a potential interest in the (unregistered) property? Can a caution against first registration be used for this purpose?

Adam: Section 2 of practice guide 3: cautions against first registration provides guidance on who may apply and how to apply for a caution against first registration. It also sets out the interests which can be protected by a caution. It does not appear that your client’s right to live in the property amounts to a cautionable interest.

Anonymous: I am acting in the sale of a property where the previous owner entered into a Wayleave Agreement with a utilities company. I did not act for the previous owner and the buyer's solicitors are requesting that I make an application to register it. If this is a Land Registry requirement what type of application should I make bearing in mind the previous owner is deceased?

Adam: Section 2 of practice guide 19: notices, restrictions and the protection of third-party interests in the register explains the nature and effect of notices, the different types of notice and which type of notice to apply for. It appears that a unilateral notice or agreed notice, applied for on forms UN1 or AN1 respectively, would be appropriate. However, it is not an HM Land Registry requirement to register such agreements.

Peter Foskett: When you send us reminders about requisitions and cancellation dates, why do you not send us a copy of the actual requisition so as to enable us to know what is required and enable us to deal with the requisition without having to locate the original requisition?

Adam: Once we’ve sent a requisition, we do not send it a second time unless there’s evidence it was not received in the first instance. If the application is being managed in the HM Land Registry portal, the requisition should be readily available there. If the application is via Business Gateway, it should be available in the customer’s casework management system. If you haven’t received the requisition we're referring to, or if it has proved impossible to locate it subsequently, please get in touch.

Send us your questions for Adam

Customer quotes under the heading 'Application Support Workshops', saying 'full of useful hints and tips', 'very engaging', 'incredibly helpful' and 'easy to follow'.

Ready to take your HM Land Registry applications to the next level?

Join us at 10am on Wednesday 19 March for an exclusive free 90-minute online workshop that will help you avoid the most common application mistakes. Hosted on Microsoft Teams, this interactive session is ideal for professionals who regularly lodge applications with HM Land Registry.

Here's what we'll cover.

What we mean by requisitions and how to avoid them.
The top 5 areas where requisitions happen (restrictions, variation in names and more).
Live Q&A with expert caseworkers to answer all your burning questions.

As always spaces are limited, so don't wait – register now to secure your place. If you've already attended one of these highly popular workshops, why not tell a colleague?

Register now

We recommend joining 5 minutes early and using the Microsoft Teams desktop app for the best experience.

There are further workshops on:

Remember, you can always visit the HM Land Registry training hub for free training and support resources.

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Are you using DRS?

Have you read our Strategy 2022+?

Which practice guide has changed?Practice guide 8: execution of deeds

Which practice guide has changed?Practice guide 16: profits a prendre (taking natural resources from another's land)

Which practice guide has changed?Practice guide 43: applications in connection with investigation or enforcement proceedings (court, insolvency, tax)

Which practice guide has changed?Practice guide 79: local land charges

Our new complaints process

New practice guide 83: alteration

New floor level field for portal search applications

Which practice guide has changed?
Practice guide 8: execution of deeds

Which practice guide has changed?
Practice guide 16: profits a prendre (taking natural resources from another's land)

Which practice guide has changed?
Practice guide 43: applications in connection with investigation or enforcement proceedings (court, insolvency, tax)

Which practice guide has changed?
Practice guide 79: local land charges