More misery as HM Land Registry posts new timeframes ahead of strikes

With house sales already suffering from last minute pulled offers and last minute mortgage offer changes a strike by HM Land Registry workers is an unwanted distraction.

Now the government agency has published its timeframes to add clarity for any deals going forward ahead of planned strike action by members of the Public and Commercial Services union (PCS).

The Neg revealed last week how the property industry was left flummoxed by HM Land Registry’s civil servants’ decision to strike next month.

HM Land Registry is among the 126 government departments from pensions to passports that have voted for strike action.

Strikes are meant to begin in December and could go on until the middle of next year and will potentially have a blistering impact on property transactions while simultaneously destroying the home ownership dreams of thousands.

WORKING DAYS

Ahead of the planned strike action, HM Land Registry is saying that when it comes to timeframes for routine ownership, mortgage and other changes to existing registered titles applications will be completed between 10 to 30 working days.

Almost all, it adds, will be completed between 60 and 80 days.

But any clients with difficult cases could be in for a shock.

COMPLEX

More complex changes to existing registered titles are expected to be completed on average between 80 to 100 days, with almost all falling between 150 to 185 days.

HM Land Registry points out though: “These processing times exclude automated updates to existing registers, most of which are completed immediately. Examples of these include electronic discharge of mortgages and applications to register electronic restrictions.”

448 DAYS

But in a further blow to some transactions, transfers of part of a property and new leases are expected to be completed at the earliest of 202 days, with an average of 424. Almost all will complete in 448 days, HM Land Registry says.

For new housing registrations with prior estate plan approvals the earliest applications are expected to take 210 days, the average 355 days and almost all within 388 days.

For those registering a property for the first time, the timeframe is now 275 days, the average 295 days and almost all 307 days.

A statement on the HM Land Registry website says: “If you or your client needs us to process the application quicker, please request an expedition.”

PRIORITISE

An HM Land Registry spokesperson told The Neg: “HM Land Registry notes the decision of the PCS National Executive Committee [to call for industrial action].

“HMLR will apply its prepared controls to minimise the impact of any action on its services.

We will closely monitor any impacts and respond as necessary.”

“We will prioritise time-critical services required for property transactions to continue, including pre-completion searches (the majority of which are automated) and urgent applications that have been expedited.

“We will closely monitor any impacts and respond as necessary to deliver the essential services required to support the property market.”