HM Land Registry estimated completion timeframes
Completion timeframes for HM Land Registry applications.
Applies to England and Wales
The estimated completion date is our current estimate of when 90% of cases of this type are completed. This is provided due to customers wanting to know when their applications are likely to be done (specifically requesting a ‘worst case’ estimate). However, customer experience can vary as reflected by the timeframes below. For operational reasons we may process the application sooner.
Timeframes
Last updated: 29 November 2024
Changes to existing registered titles
Routine ownership (for example, buying a property), mortgage and other changes to existing registered titles
Your application will be completed within:
| Earliest | 1 day |
|---|---|
| Average | 2 to 25 days |
| Almost all | 3 to 4 months |
More complex changes to existing registered titles, for example, multi-title applications submitted by developers, dividing existing titles or lodging a new lease
Your application will be completed
Your application will be completed within:
| Earliest | 1 day |
|---|---|
| Average | 5 to 6 months |
| Almost all | 15 to 17 months |
Note: 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
Registering purchases of plots on new developments
Your application will be completed within:
| Earliest | 9 to 10 months |
|---|---|
| Average | 11 to 13 months |
| Almost all | 17 to 19 months |
Registering purchases of part of a registered property that is not a new development
Your application will be completed within:
| Earliest | 10 to 14 months |
|---|---|
| Average | 14 to 16 months |
| Almost all | 17 to 19 months |
Registering a property for the first time
Your application will be completed by:
| Earliest | 8 to 12 months |
|---|---|
| Average | 15 to 17 months |
| Almost all | 15 to 17 months |
Request an expedite
If you need us to process an application sooner, please request that we expedite (fast track) it.
You can apply to expedite if the delay would:
- cause legal, financial or personal problems not related to a land transaction
- put a property transaction at risk. For example, a refinancing deal or development
If there is no urgency and the estimated completion date has passed, please rest assured your legal rights regarding the property are protected in the Land Register the moment we receive the application, not from the day it is registered. We will contact you as soon as there is an update.