Restructuring HMLR Fees

Overview

HM Land Registry (HMLR) is consulting on proposals to simplify elements of the fee model contained within The Land Registration Fee Order 2024. The changes proposed are intended to support the Government’s wider ambition to deliver simpler, more efficient and customer-focused public services.

Territorial extent

This consultation applies to England and Wales.

Duration

This consultation will run for a period of 8 weeks from 27th October 2026 - 22nd December 2026

Executive Summary

In our Strategy 2025+ we are committed to making our services and information easy to get hold of, easy to understand and easy to use.  As part of this commitment, we have reviewed our fees and charges to ensure they are simple, transparent and fit for purpose.

The current fee model for registration services is divided into four elements:

• Scale 1, which generally applies to transfers for value and first registrations.
• Scale 2, which applies to a range of other registration services, including transfers of equity and the registration of mortgages.
• Fixed fees which do not vary according to the transaction value and are payable on certain applications for registration (usually where there is no change of ownership such as registering a restriction on the land or a unilateral notice).
• Applications where no fee is payable. These are generally to keep our records up to date such as changes or updates to the proprietor’s name or contact address.

Over time, customer insight, particularly from self-service (unrepresented) citizens has highlighted that aspects of the current charging model, particularly Scale 2 fees, are complex and difficult to understand, leading to an increased error rate when submitting applications.

In considering where reform could deliver the greatest, immediate benefit, we have therefore focused on Scale 2. This contains a number of rules and exceptions that require applicants to undertake additional calculations before the correct fee can be identified and paid. Simplifying this part of the fee model provides an opportunity to improve transparency, reduce complexity and support more efficient processing.

This consultation sets out our proposal to simplify Scale 2 by replacing the existing value-based charging model with two clear fixed fees:

• One fixed fee for changes of ownership not for monetary consideration, such as transfers of equity or assent to a beneficiary following a death; and

• One fixed fee for registering a mortgage or a transfer of a mortgage when not lodged with an application which attracts a Scale 1 fee or one of the fixed fees which will replace Scale 2.

Moving to fixed fees for these services would make fees easier to understand, reduce fee calculation errors and support a more efficient registration process.

Whilst this consultation focuses on changing Scale 2, we recognise the potential benefits of simplifying the overall fees model in the future. Previous engagement has indicated that there may be appetite for wider reform, including the simplification of Scale 1 fees. Therefore, we are also seeking views on some changes that we might want to explore to better understand stakeholder perspectives, the potential benefits, and any challenges that would need to be considered before developing them into future proposals.

We welcome responses from everyone with an interest in HMLR’s fee model.

Related Consultation: Consultation on the Future of Access to HM Land Registry Information

Alongside this consultation, HMLR, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) are also consulting through the ‘Future of Access to HM Land Registry Information consultation’. The purpose of this consultation is to seek views on a package of proposals to increase the public value of HM Land Registry (HMLR) data and improve access to land ownership information, while ensuring appropriate safeguards are in place. While the consultations cover separate areas of work, they both support our wider ambition to improve access to trusted land and property information. We encourage respondents to contribute to the Future of Access to HM Land Registry Information consultation and share their views on the proposals set out in each.

Consultation principles

This consultation is being conducted in line with the revised Cabinet Office consultation principles published in March 2018. These principles give clear guidance to government departments on conducting consultations.

Why your views matter

This consultation is relevant to HMLR customers and stakeholders.

Your comments on what we propose will be appreciated. We also invite you to comment on further steps that we could take to further simplify the fees and charging model in the future to continue to make it easier to do business with us.

If you have any questions about this consultation, email FeesAndChargingStructure@landregistry.gov.uk