HM Land Registry will require more evidence for extensions to requests for information

Solicitors and conveyancers will be asked to supply more evidence when asking for an extension to requests for information from HM Land Registry.

From Monday 17 May 2021, HM Land Registry will ask solicitors and conveyancers to supply written evidence to show they have taken steps to resolve a request for information (requisition) before granting an extension.

This change comes after the window for replying to requests for information was extended in January. Customers now have an extra 40 days to reply to a request for information, compared with the previous policy of cancelling an application after 20 days. This has resulted in a reduction in customers asking for both extensions and cancellations, allowing our caseworkers to focus on processing new applications.

Customers will now need to supply written evidence of steps taken to resolve the request.

The evidence should include:

• a summary of dates on which they have actively pursued any outstanding matters
• documentation which shows if a delay is with a third party

We are no longer accepting requests by telephone. Portal users should use Reply to Requisition rather than Application Enquiry.

Customers are also reminded to include an email address when lodging applications to receive reminders for any requests for information – these are sent after 40 days in most cases.

For more details, see practice guide 50.

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