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HM Land Registry meaning

What does HM Land Registry mean?
HM Land Registry (HMLR) is the public body that maintains the digital register of title to land and property in England and Wales under the Land Registration Act 2002. In practice, conveyancers and lenders use HMLR to verify and register ownership, mortgages/charges, leases, easements, restrictions and notices; to obtain official copies of the title register and title plan; to lodge applications for first registration and for the registration of transfers, leases and legal charges (including via e-AP1); and to protect priority through OS1/OS2 searches. The register benefits from a state-backed guarantee of title and an indemnity scheme. HMLR also administers the Land Charges Register for certain interests affecting unregistered land and operates the central Local Land Charges register being migrated from local authorities. The term is jurisdiction-specific: in Scotland the equivalent functions are performed by Registers of Scotland (Land Register of Scotland and Register of Sasines); in Northern Ireland by Land and Property Services (Land Registry and Registry of Deeds); and in Ireland by Tailte Éireann (formerly the Property Registration Authority and Registry of Deeds). “HM Land Registry” is a descriptive institutional term rather than a separate statutory definition.
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View the related Checklists about HM Land Registry

CHECKLISTS
Easements in property transactions: due diligence checklist on identification, registration, scope, maintenance, interference, alteration/termination, utilities, and creation/reservation—England and Wales

ARCHIVED: This Flowchart has been archived and is not maintained. Retained EU law is a concept introduced by the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 (EU(W)A 2018) as part of Brexit preparations, establishing a new category of domestic legislation. It denotes the collection of EU‑derived rules preserved and converted into UK law under the EU(W)A 2018 (as amended) at the end of the post‑Brexit transition period (IP completion day). For background on the transition period, and what it means for retained EU law, see: In the context of Brexit, what is meant by the ‘transition or implementation period’? For further background reading on the underlying legislation, see: Practice Note: Brexit—key legislation explained News Analysis: What does IP completion day mean for the status of EU law in the UK? What is retained EU law? Retained EU law is a broad, complex legal term defined by the EU(W)A 2018. It covers anything that continues to form part of domestic law on or...

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CHECKLISTS
Planning due diligence: conditions and section 106 planning obligations - searches, reporting, compliance, variation, appeal and enforcement

Planning conditions and planning obligations often limit both what development may take place and the way it is carried out on the land or buildings to which they apply. See Practice Notes: Planning conditions—key points and Planning obligations—key points. Planning obligations Agreements made under section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (commonly called section 106 agreements, or planning obligations) control the use of land and bind successors in title. They are recorded as local land charges. The agreement should specify the land it binds by reference to an attached plan, which will usually mirror the planning application site boundary for the related development. A section 106 agreement is typically concluded before the decision notice granting planning permission is issued. How are planning obligations revealed? Review the outcome of the local land charges search (LLC1). Planning obligations are registrable as local land charges. From 12 April 2015, HM Land Registry has responsibility for the local land charges register. Transitional provisions permit HM Land Registry...

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CHECKLISTS
Buying or leasing property from an administrator: appointment verification, joint authority, title and liability exclusions, floating and fixed charge issues, HM Land Registry requirements (England and Wales)

Administrator appointed by the court Where the court appoints an administrator under paragraph 11 of Schedule B1 to the Insolvency Act 1986 (IA 1986), following an application by the company, its directors and/or one or more creditors, the title deeds should include certified copies of: the administration order; and any further order(s) under IA 1986, Sch B1, paras 91–95 appointing a new administrator after the death, resignation or removal from office of the original or any later administrator Administrator appointed by holder(s) of qualifying charge, the company or its directors Where the administrator is appointed by the holder(s) of a qualifying floating charge (IA 1986, Sch B1, para 14) or by the company or its directors (IA 1986, Sch B1, para 22), the title deeds should include certified copies of: the notice of appointment: in a form complying with IA 1986, Sch B1, para 14 and the Insolvency (England and Wales) Rules...

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View the related News about HM Land Registry

NEWS
UK and EU banking and finance—Land Registry, SFDR, T+1, Listing Act, PRIIPs, ISDA, MiFIR, case law and key dates: weekly update, 8 May 2025

In this issue Security Sustainable finance Debt capital markets Derivatives Regulation for derivatives lawyers Claims and remedies Daily and weekly news alerts Updated Practice Notes Useful information Security HM Land Registry has revised Practice Guide 29—Registration of legal charges and deeds of variation of charge. An update to section 4 now explains how to remove a note recorded in the charges register pursuant to section 859H of the Companies Act 2006. See: LNB News 06/05/2025 2. Source: Registration of legal charges and deeds of variation of charge (PG29). Sustainable finance The European Commission has opened a call for evidence to review the Sustainable Finance Disclosures Regulation (EU) 2019/2088 (EU SFDR). The initiative targets unnecessary burdens by simplifying and streamlining obligations, including easing environmental, social and governance reporting for financial market participants so they can focus on information most relevant to investors. Responses are requested by 30 May 2025, and the feedback will guide...

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NEWS
Weekly property law highlights: Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act, insolvency trust ruling, 15% SDLT, minerals reservation, Scottish short-term let licensing, HMLR PG9 update—6 June 2024

In this issue: Key developments and horizon scanning Transferring property Property insolvency Property taxes Easements, rights and covenants Property in Scotland Leasing property LexTalk®Property: a Lexis®Nexis community Additional property updates this week Daily and weekly news alerts Trackers New Q&As Key developments and horizon scanning Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 The Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 (LFRA 2024), which gained Royal Assent on 24 May 2024 and featured in last week’s highlights, has now been published. Sections 113 (controls on remedies for arrears of rent charges), 117 (recovery of legal costs etc through service charge), 118 (repeal of section 125 of the Building Safety Act 2022) and 119 (higher-risk and relevant buildings: insolvency notifications) take effect two months after Royal Assent (24 July 2024). The rest of LFRA 2024 will commence by regulations to be made by the new government after the election. See: LNB News 04/06/2024 14. ...

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NEWS
Property weekly: Electronic Communications Code and LTA 1987 cases, Building Safety Act, planning reforms, climate risk, HMLR guides, tax rulings, and Scottish heat standard and LBTT (9 January 2025)

In this issue: Key developments and horizon scanning Leasing property Environment, energy and buildings Statutory compliance Property development Transferring property Property taxes Property in Scotland Additional property updates this week Daily and weekly news alerts Trackers New Q&As Key developments and horizon scanning Snapshot of key property developments to look out for in 2025 We deliver a concise overview of several significant property developments to watch for in 2025. See News Analysis: Snapshot of key property developments to look out for in 2025. Leasing property Electronic Communications Code and assignment of pre-28 December 2017 licence agreement AP Wireless II (UK) Ltd v ON Tower UK Ltd [2024] UKUT 429 (LC) was an appeal to the Upper Tribunal (Lands Chamber) (the UT) from a First-tier Tribunal (FTT) decision concerning how the Electronic Communications Code (Code) should be interpreted. The central question was whether an assignee of a Code licence...

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View the related Practice Notes about HM Land Registry

PRACTICE NOTES
CVAs and commercial leases: landlord impacts on rent, moratoria, termination options, forfeiture, surrender, guarantees, rent reviews and LTA 1954 issues (England and Wales)

What is a CVA? A company voluntary arrangement (CVA) is a form of insolvency that permits a company to enter a binding agreement with its creditors to compromise unsecured debts or otherwise agree how its affairs are handled. The directors continue to run the business, under the oversight of an insolvency practitioner. Retailers, particularly those with extensive property portfolios, frequently adopt so‑called ‘landlord CVAs’ to reset rental commitments and shut loss‑making stores. This note outlines how property law and landlord and tenant considerations may emerge under such a CVA. It highlights provisions commonly included in CVAs and explains how they tend to work in practice. Nevertheless, each CVA will vary according to the precise terms proposed. It is therefore vital to examine the CVA proposal carefully to assess its effect on creditors. This note does not provide detailed guidance on the mechanics of approving and implementing a CVA. For Practice Notes addressing the CVA procedure, see: Company voluntary arrangements—an introductory guide The CVA proposal and...

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PRACTICE NOTES
Virtual execution of deeds, contracts and guarantees in England and Wales: practical options, Mercury implications, witnessing, and HM Land Registry requirements

This Practice Note offers practical direction on correctly executing documents when one or more parties to a contract are not physically together, often referred to as virtual signing or a virtual closing. The Law Society has brought together established materials covering: execution of documents by virtual means, use of electronic signatures, its ‘Tips on how to operate in practice’ concerning virtual execution and the use of e‑signatures, and Q&A on using electronic signatures and completing virtual executions, including ‘Our position on the use of virtual execution and e‑signature during the coronavirus (COVID‑19) pandemic’. We have assembled a comprehensive, interactive collection to help users identify and navigate the concepts and common issues involved in executing documents, including by virtual means. Each section or phase contains practical guidance, precedent clauses and Q&As relevant to that stage. For more information, see: Execution collection. Mercury Tax Case This guidance aligns with the Law Society’s position issued on 16 February 2010 in response...

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PRACTICE NOTES
Break notices: correct parties, service methods, statutory deeming and interaction with LTA 1954 and HA 1988 (England and Wales)

FORTHCOMING CHANGE : The Renters’ Rights Act 2025 received Royal Assent on 27 October 2025 For guidance on the Act’s effect on residential tenancies in England, refer to Practice Note: Renters’ Rights Act 2025—key provisions. That Practice Note details which party must issue a break notice and on whom it must be served, along with the acceptable methods of service. It addresses whether service is permitted or required by contract, the statutory frameworks governing service of notices, and the deeming rules under: section 196 of the Law of Property Act 1925 (LPA 1925) section 23 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1927 (LTA 1927) section 7 of the Interpretation Act 1978 (IA 1978) the common law It further considers how break notices align with statutory security of tenure for assured shorthold tenancies (ASTs) under the Housing Act 1988, and with business tenancies under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954 (LTA 1954)...

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View the related Precedents about HM Land Registry

PRECEDENTS
Borrower’s Solicitors’ Completion Undertaking to Lender’s Solicitors: Commercial Property Purchase and First Legal Charge (England and Wales)

TO BE PRINTED ON THE BORROWER’S SOLICITORS’ HEADED PAPER To: [ insert details of the lender’s solicitors ] (the Lender’s Solicitors) and [ insert details of the lender ] (the Lender) Dear [ insert organisation name ] Completion undertaking This undertaking concerns the acquisition of [ insert property description ] (the Property) by [ insert borrower’s name ] (the Borrower) under a sale contract dated [ insert date ] between [ insert seller’s name ] (the Seller) and the Borrower (the Sale Contract), together with the grant of a first legal charge over the Property in favour of the Lender pursuant to a facility agreement dated [ insert date ] between [ insert details ] (the Facility Agreement). For the purposes of this letter, ‘completion’ means completion of the Transfer of the Property to the Borrower (the Transfer), and does not include registration of the Transfer at HM Land Registry. We are instructed by the Borrower. We enclose: ...

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PRECEDENTS
Statutory declaration supporting HM Land Registry removal of lease and title closure following section 146 LPA 1925 forfeiture for breach of covenant (excluding non-payment of rent), England and Wales

I, [ name ], of [ address ], do solemnly and sincerely state that: [ I have worked for [ name of owner ] (‘the Owner’) for [ number ] years. During the past [ number ] years I have occupied the role of [ description ]. I am completely familiar with the matters addressed in this statutory declaration. OR I am [ a partner in OR employed by ] [ name of firm ], a practice of [ chartered ] surveyors which, since [ date ], has been continuously engaged by [ name of owner ] (‘the Owner’) to [ manage and act as agent OR collect the rents and other income and pay the outgoings OR [ other ] ] for the Owner in connection with the Property (as defined below). I have personally [ carried out AND/OR supervised ] that work since [ date ]. I am thoroughly acquainted with the matters addressed in this statutory declaration. ] The Owner is the [...

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PRECEDENTS
HM Land Registry TR1 Precedent and Drafting Notes for Sales by Liquidators (England and Wales)

Precedent Transfer A flexible Word edition of the TR1 precedent can be downloaded, stored or printed using the link on this page. Drafting notes to precedent transfer General Any mention of ‘panels’ in these drafting notes refers to the panels in HM Land Registry form TR1. The TR1 is the prescribed document, under the Land Registration Rules 2003, for transferring the whole of freehold or leasehold land. Form TR1 can also be used for transfers of the entirety of unregistered land where the disposition triggers compulsory registration, or where the transferee is certain that a voluntary application for registration will be made...

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View the related Q&As about HM Land Registry

Q&As
LRA 2002 s.4 rentcharges: first registration and transfer validity

The general rule The general rule is that when a buyer of a freehold interest enters into covenants with the seller, although the burden of restrictive obligations will in many instances bind a successor in title, positive duties requiring the covenantor to act do not run when the freehold is conveyed. A rentcharge operates as a device by which a monetary duty can pass to the successor of the initial buyer. There is no issue, as a matter of contractual privity, in imposing on the purchaser a contractual obligation to pay the seller for the supply of services relating to the land; however, matters become more intricate once the seller transfers the freehold estate to a third party. The rentcharge nonetheless entitles its holder to demand regular periodic payments of money from the owner of the freehold estate. It is not a mortgage, because it does not function as security for a debt...

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Q&As
Manorial rights: CAFR cancellation on freehold first registration

No estate will be placed on the register until any existing caution has been properly resolved. Should an application to register be lodged, HM Land Registry (HMLR) will alert the cautioner and advise them of their entitlement to oppose it. The cautioner may then submit an objection within the stipulated timeframe. As provided by the Land Registration Rules 2003, SI 2003/1417, r 53, that period usually expires at 12 noon on the 15th business day following the issue date of the Registrar’s notice, unless a different arrangement is agreed. Nevertheless, the cautioner may ask the Registrar, with reasons, to allow extra time. Any such request must be lodged before 12 noon on the 15th business day after the Registrar’s notice is issued...

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Q&As
Copyhold Acts entry on title—do manorial rights still bind?

During the medieval period, the manor’s lord allowed local people to occupy and farm open land on the estate in return for payment (in cash or in kind, for example tithes and corn rents) or services (ie labour or military service). Moreover, the lord of the manor also kept certain rights over the land. Such manorial rights were annexed to the lordship (ie the title ‘lord of the manor’), rather than to the manor land. A full catalogue of these rights appeared in Schedule 12, paragraphs 5 and 6 of the Law of Property Act 1922 (now repealed). That list is, however, conveniently reproduced in HM Land Registry Practice Guide 66—Overriding interests losing automatic protection in 2013, within that guidance document for reference...

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