Homeowners could soon be able to access information held on their property by HM Land Registry directly through digital property logbooks under a new industry-backed trial.
The Residential Logbook Association (RLBA) is working with HM Land Registry (HMLR) on a proof-of-concept project that will allow homeowners to view Land Registry register data within participating digital property logbook platforms.
Currently, homeowners typically need to purchase title documents from HM Land Registry or rely on an estate agent or conveyancer to obtain the information on their behalf. The trial will explore whether making the data more readily accessible can help homeowners better understand their property information and prepare more effectively for future transactions.
As part of the project, participating logbook providers will test different ways of presenting and explaining Land Registry data, with research examining how consumers engage with the information and whether greater access could help improve preparedness during the home-moving process.
Sally Holdway, buying and selling lead for the RLBA, said “We believe we can reduce the number of transactions that fall-through because of incorrect or out of date information held by HMLR, for example because details have changed since the last time the property transacted. Giving sellers early sight of their data and helping them to correct mistakes will significantly reduce problems further down the line during a sale.”
Terry Robertson, deputy director of strategy at HMLR commented: “Buying or selling a home is one of the most important transactions people make, and having clear, reliable information at the right time really matters. HM Land Registry’s Strategy 2025+ puts the customer at the heart of everything we do, and supporting this proof of concept allows us to learn how homeowners could securely access their Land Registry data earlier and use it with confidence – so they can spot issues sooner and be better prepared when they come to sell.”
Participating consumers will be chosen among those who are planning to sell in the near future as well as those who have recently purchased. The test group will include people with an existing Logbook and others who will set them up as part of the proof of concept. Homeowners will not be able to use the data to transact, but will be able to use it to create Digital Sales Pack in their Logbook. Official Copies to support a transaction will still need to be purchased via their Sales Pack or in the normal way later in the process.
Nigel Walley, RLBA chair, added: “The key thing to stress is that it is not the Logbook companies being given the data. Our Logbooks are merely the tools that homeowners will be using to unlock their own data in a secure format. But this is part of our broader mission to unlock all publicly held property data for homeowners.”
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