Land Registry to publish data on “avoidable requisitions” following land registration applications

The Land Registry will this Autumn publish data on “avoidable requisitions” - requests for more information or clarification - it has had to make to applicants for land registration.

These requisitions typically cover issues such as name discrepancies, missing documents and witness details. 

The Land Registry said investment in staff, technology, and training for customers had seen avoidable requisitions decline, but they were "still making things harder for law firms than they needed to be". 

The organisation is already sending data to customers on the percentage of their applications where these requisitions could be avoided before the application is submitted. 

When looked at by firm, the percentage of applications with avoidable requisitions varies from 0% to 24%, it added.

The Land Registry said publication of the data on avoidable requisitions would “bring greater clarity”. 

It added: “Not only have customers been asking for this data, the move is also supported by trade bodies and industry and aligns with the Government’s priorities for HM Land Registry, set out in Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook’s letter of 4 February.”

According to HM Land Registry researchers, requisitions cost the sector an estimated £19m a year. They also delay application processing which in turn reduces the speed of registration.