Changes to Land Registration rules announced today (23 January) will mean the UK is moving closer to buying and selling homes without the need for paper deeds. 

The reforms will come into effect on 6 April 2018. HM Land Registry chief executive and chief land registrar, Graham Farrant, has outlined the changes to the way HM Land Registry will provide services to its customers including allowing for fully digital conveyancing documents with e-signatures.

Working closely with its customers, and launching a public consultation on the changes last year, HM Land Registry plans to use digital technology to make conveyancing simpler, faster and cheaper whilst enhancing the integrity and security of the register against threats from cyber-attacks and digital fraud. The rule changes will allow HM Land Registry to introduce fully digital conveyancing documents such as mortgages and transfers, in response to customers’ needs.

Farrant said: “Our customers are central to everything we do and we want to make dealing with us quicker and simpler by providing more services through digital technology.

“These changes are an important enabler for our digital transformation and I want to thank our customers for their positive responses to the consultation.”