The Land Registry has come out fighting in its latest Annual Report, claiming it has achieved significant achievements in the quality and speed of its service and digital capabilities.

Its comment come a year after the organisation was criticised for hiking its fees while at the same time some property transactions were delayed, a situation that Propertymark took issue with, and that the Land Registry later said it would fix.

As well as promising a review or its fees the organisation has – following criticism from conveyancers over ‘never ending delays’ for too many property sales – been processing change of ownership registrations faster. In March Land Registry surpassed its target to process 95% of all applications within 12 months of submission, the report reveals.

“However, we remain committed to further improving the service we provide to our customers and the industry, both by harnessing technology and through the dedication of our people,” says Simon Hayes, Chief Executive and Chief Land Registrar (main image).

Property records

“We know how important it is that everyone can rely on HM Land Registry to ensure their property ownership records are secure and accurate. This is fundamental in helping people to buy homes, develop land and secure mortgages.

“Our role in maintaining the guaranteed record of property ownership in England and Wales is of huge economic importance to the country, supporting and enabling more than £1 billion of property market activities every day.”

Hayes has also said that the Land Registry’s programme to move all the UK’s local authorities over to digital local land charge searches has now achieved its aim at 110 councils, where results are show ‘immediately’ rather than the traditional ‘weeks or months’.

The Land Registry has also revealed that its counter fraud group prevented more than £59 million worth of fraudulent property applications in 2024-25, a growing problem that was highlighted by a Channel 5 investigation earlier this year.