Certainty guaranteed with DPA service

Development plan approval service

Our corporate plan for 2016-2019 introduced a new 20-day service standard for transfer of part applications that are part of land that has been granted development plan approval (DPA) from April 2016.

Our DPA service is a free pre-registration service that ensures that any title extent issues are identified and addressed prior to the build taking place. This reduces both the risk and the cost for the developer, and provides reassurance to the house plot purchasing proprietor, their solicitor and their lender.

To make use of DPA, the developer must have a registered Land Register title or a pending Land Register application, and the site must be going for imminent development. If the land is not registered in the Land Register, an application for registration can be made through a voluntary registration. The service is based on the submission of digital architect drawings, which must be geo-referenced to Ordnance Survey national grid co-ordinates.

To build on the benefits that DPA offers customers, and to improve our speed of service, we have expanded DPA to include an examination of draft deed styles before they are submitted for registration. This enables the keeper to prepare instructions for registration of the development at the pre-registration stage, resulting in a quicker turnaround of applications. By allowing for early discussion of matters that may impact on the registration process, it also reduces the likelihood of rejection. This has already attracted positive feedback from existing customers.

If you would like to take advantage of our DPA service, please submit a copy of the deed of conditions and house plot disposition(s) relevant to the development where DPA has been undertaken. We encourage you to submit this at an early stage in order to maximise the potential benefits. Where there are different styles of house plot in the development, please send an example of each.

Please email this to dadeeds@ros.gov.uk, quoting the DPA reference and parent title number.

Right First Time

Nine out of 10 applications for registration are right first time. As part of our continuous efforts to eliminate the one in 10 that are rejected, we’ve launched a new Right First Time campaign. The dedicated section of our website includes a wide range of tips, videos, blogs and general guidance that you can access at ros.gov.uk/right-first-time

In March, the main reason for rejections was as a result of application errors. This included mistakes such as the application form not being signed, deeds identified for burdens/servitudes not being submitted, using the wrong application form, and a sasine application form not being submitted when dual registration is needed. These are issues that can be avoided, and so we encourage you to make use of the checklist on our new Right First Time page as a final check before you submit your application.

Sasine closure and KIR advance Land Register completion

As reported in last month’s Journal, the Sasine Register closed to standard securities on 1 April. This change, introduced to accelerate the completion of the Land Register, means that a new security application with a new lender for titles on the Sasine Register will require a move to the Land Register through a free voluntary application for registration.

As anticipated, RoS saw an upturn in sasine standard security applications in the days leading up to the closure, with a spike in submissions in the last two days of March. The preparations made, including engaging with lenders, brokers and solicitors prior to the closure, meant the transition was as smooth as possible and we would like to thank those who worked with us to make this happen.

The next significant project in the completion of the Land Register, keeper-induced registration (KIR), will begin this autumn with a live pilot in three different cities. RoS will inform the legal community in each of these areas prior to the start of the pilot, and will write to homeowners once their properties have been registered.

To find out more about KIR, visit www.ros.gov.uk/kir