Property professionals face new disclosure requirements from April 2027. The rules will reveal who holds certain rights over land they do not own.

The changes will affect agreements commonly used in property transactions and development. These include options to purchase land, conditional contracts and pre-emption rights.

Such agreements can give developers, investors and other parties influence over land without transferring ownership.

HM Land Registry has published Practice Guide 84 to help conveyancers and property professionals prepare.

The regulations take effect on 6 April 2027. They cover certain contractual control rights affecting registered land in England and Wales.

From that date, those responsible must submit the required information digitally.

What changes for property professionals?

The rules aim to make land control arrangements more transparent. Currently, ownership records do not always reveal who holds rights affecting future development or disposal.

The guidance identifies which agreements fall within the regulations. It also explains who must report them and what information they need to provide.

For conveyancers, the changes could mean additional checks and paperwork when handling affected transactions.

HM Land Registry is encouraging firms to review the guidance now. Early preparation could help prevent delays and additional costs.

Firms should retain relevant contracts. They should also collect dates and places of birth when individuals grant contractual control rights.

They may need spatial data when an agreement affects only part of a registered title.

When will the information become public?

HM Land Registry will launch its digital submission service on 6 April 2027.

It expects to publish contractual control data from April 2028.

The changes aim to provide greater visibility over agreements affecting land use and development, even when ownership stays the same.

Conveyancers, developers and other property professionals can read Contractual control rights: Practice Guide 84 ahead of implementation.