Earlier last month, the first increase to Land Registry information service fees in over a decade was announced, being the Land Registration Fee Order 2024 (SI 2024/931) and Land Charges Fees Rules 2024 (SI 2024/925), which will come into force on 9 December 2024. The previous Land Registry Fee Order 2021 (SI 2021/1226) and Land Charges Fees Rules 1990 (SI 1990/327) will be revoked from this date.
The consequence of this is that from 9 December this year, Land Registry fees for information services will be increasing by £4. Meaning that the cost of a Land Registry priority search submitted digitally will increase from £3 to £7, and a search of the index map from £4 to £8.
Land Charges applications which are submitted in paper form will also increase in cost by £6 for searches and £5 for official copies and inspections, to align with the Land Registry’s principle of charging higher fees for processing paper requests.
The Land Registry has said that these fee changes reflect the cost of running and improving their services, and that this increase does not impact the Land Registry’s longer-term review of its fees and charging model. The response to the call for evidence conducted in spring 2024 will be published in the upcoming weeks and will form the basis for more substantial proposed changes.
This update is for general purpose and guidance only and does not constitute legal advice. Specific legal advice should be taken before acting on any of the topics covered. No part of this update may be used, reproduced, stored or transmitted in any form, or by any means without the prior permission of Brecher LLP.
