HM Land Registry launches Essentials training for new conveyancing staff

HM Land Registry launches a new initiative called Essentials, which is training for new conveyancing staff, initiating them in what the Land Registry does.

HM Land Registry has launched a new initiative to help new conveyancing staff get to grips with the practices and processes involved in lodging high-quality applications, right from the word go.

Comprising a varied and comprehensive range of basic training materials, HM Land Registry Essentials is a self-service training package aimed at helping new staff, as well as more experienced colleagues wanting an opportunity to refresh their knowledge.

Devised in conjunction with customers, the training package includes a mix of short videos, on-demand webinars, flowcharts and guidance covering some of the most common issues facing new starters to the sector.

These include how to calculate Scale 2 fees as well hints and tips on avoiding requests for information (requisitions) relating to forms and deeds, execution, restrictions and variations in names.

There’s also an easy-to-follow look at the three parts that generally make up a title register.

Pauline Mullen-Bray, HM Land Registry’s Customer Experience Delivery Manager, commented:

“We’re well aware that the land registration process can be challenging even for experienced staff, but doubly so for people new to the sector.

“So we’ve specifically designed the package with ‘new starters’ in mind to help them get to grips with the practices and processes involved in a digestible way, and to support them in preparing and submitting high quality applications.

“The package is a comprehensive mix of easy to follow and interactive guidance, which we hope will assist new starters and indeed anyone in the sector who is trying to unravel some of the complexities in the registration process in a faster and smoother way.

“Whether it’s calculating fees, understanding the title register, avoiding requests for information, or gaining an insight into caseworkers’ decision-making process – and much more besides – we hope this ‘one-stop shop’ will make things easier.”

The on-demand webinars make up an application quality workshop, hosted on our Go To Webinar platform at How to avoid requests for information (requisitions), which customers can dip into to suit their particular needs and circumstances.

To add value and bring a human dimension to the training, we’ve incorporated an interactive element in each webinar, as well as including a Day in the life of a Caseworker activity.

A Day in the life of a Caseworker is expressly designed to show participants why caseworkers make the decisions they do, to promote two-way understanding and underline the importance of getting applications ‘right first time – every time’.

Essentials at a glance – The package comprises:

- A short What HM Land Registry does explanatory video.
- A How HM Land Registry fits into the conveyancing process video.
- An on-Demand application workshop comprising six webinars on How to avoid requests for information (requisitions), featuring an Introduction, Restrictions, Execution of Deeds, Forms and Deeds, Variations in Names, and A Day in the life of a caseworker.
- A Fees Flowchart to help with calculating the correct fees for Scale 2 applications involving transfers or assents for no monetary consideration, which are not currently covered by our fee calculator.
- Three webinars about calculating fees for Transfers or assents involving Shares; Transfers or assents not involving shares; and Appointment of a new or additional trustee.
- A look at the three parts that usually make up a title register: the property, proprietorship and charge registers.
- A link to our training hub on GOV.UK, which contains further guidance and resources covering a wealth of topics.