Registers launches digital advance notice service
Registers of Scotland has today launched the public beta version of its new solution for digitally submitting advance notices.
It replaces the interim process set up to deal with transactions requiring to settle in order to avoid serious hardship, set up after Registers closed its application record on 24 March to comply with Government lockdown restrictions to fight the coronavirus.
The new system is not so restricted, but advice from the Scottish Government remains to delay concluding missives until after the period where stay-at-home measures are in place; or to include explicit contractual provisions to take account of the risks presented by the virus.
Under the new digital system, Registers will accept digital uploads of advance notices for first registrations and transfers of part. The process for dealings with whole is already digital and remains the same.
The system enables users to complete and download their advance notice in the usual way, then upload and submit it via the beta service.
The timeline for the new system mirrors how advance notices were processed on paper, with the advance notice being uploaded and submitted on day 1, processed on day 2 and made available on ScotLIS on day 3. For more urgent cases, users are requested to call the customer service team (0800 169 9391).
Registers recommends that users consider their settlement date and allow three to four days to ensure there are no issues or delays, but that users only submit onto the system on the day they need to so as not to impact functionality.
A demonstration of the system can be viewed at this link.
The Coronavirus (Scotland) Act, which received Royal Assent today, provides for advance notices in force as at 24 March, or granted since, to continue in force until 10 days after the property registers are fully reopened, if later than the normal 35 day period for which they have effect. It will also allow applications for registration to proceed on the basis of copy deeds submitted electronically to Registers, such as by attachment to an email.