UK Land Registry Fee Calculator 2025

Land Registry fees are statutory charges paid to HM Land Registry for updating the official register of property ownership in England and Wales. These fees are required whenever you register a property transaction, transfer ownership, register a mortgage, or make other changes to the land register. The Land Registry maintains the definitive record of who owns what land and property, providing legal security for property owners and lenders.

Land Registry fees are calculated using either Scale 1 or Scale 2 fee structures, depending on your transaction type. Use our Land Registry fee calculator above by selecting your transaction type (Scale 1 for purchases, Scale 2 for transfers without money changing hands), entering the property value, and choosing your application method. Electronic applications through the Portal or Business Gateway often qualify for reduced fees compared to postal applications.

Scale 1 fees apply to first registrations and transfers for monetary consideration (when money changes hands), such as property purchases. Scale 2 fees apply to transfers not involving money, such as gifts, inheritances, transfers between family members, and charges of registered estates. Scale 1 fees are generally higher than Scale 2 fees for the same property value, reflecting the different nature of these transactions.

Yes, significant fee reductions are available for electronic applications submitted through HM Land Registry's Portal or Business Gateway. For Scale 1 transfers and surrenders affecting the whole of a registered title, electronic applications receive a 55% discount compared to postal applications. Scale 2 applications affecting the whole title also qualify for substantial electronic discounts, typically around 55-57% off postal rates.

Current Land Registry fees range from £20-£1,105 depending on property value and application method. For example, a £250,000 property transfer by post costs £330 under Scale 1, but only £150 electronically if it affects the whole title. Scale 2 fees for the same value would be £100 by post or £45 electronically. Use our calculator above for exact fees based on your specific transaction.

Mortgage registrations (charges of registered land) use Scale 2 fees based on the amount secured by the mortgage. However, when a charge accompanies a property purchase where the borrower becomes the registered owner, no separate fee is payable for the charge. For remortgages or additional charges, fees range from £20-£305 depending on the mortgage amount and whether you apply electronically or by post.

Lease registration fees are calculated using Scale 1 based on the premium paid plus the highest annual rent within the first five years of the lease term. For lease extensions, this is treated as surrendering the existing lease and granting a new one. If there's no premium, the fee is based on the rent amount. If there's no quantifiable rent, it's based on the lease value with a minimum £45 fee.

First registration fees use Scale 1 based on the property value or purchase price. Voluntary first registrations (where registration isn't legally required) qualify for a 25% reduction. For a £300,000 property, the standard postal fee would be £330, reduced to £250 for voluntary registration. Electronic applications affecting the whole title get additional discounts, potentially reducing costs to £150 or less.

Yes, several applications have fixed fees regardless of property value: Standard form restrictions cost £40 by post (£20 electronically) for up to 3 titles. Non-standard restrictions are £90 per title by post (£45 electronically). Cautions against first registration cost £40. Many other administrative applications like discharging charges, updating property descriptions, or registering deaths are free of charge.

No, HM Land Registry statutory fees are not subject to Value Added Tax (VAT). The fees quoted by our calculator and on official government sources are the total amounts payable. However, if you're using a solicitor or conveyancer, their professional fees for handling the Land Registry application may be subject to VAT at the standard rate.

Land Registry fees and Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) are completely separate charges. Land Registry fees are administrative charges paid to HM Land Registry for updating property records, typically ranging from £20-£1,105. SDLT is a tax paid to HMRC on property purchases over £40,000, with rates from 0-12% of the purchase price. Both may be payable on the same transaction and should be budgeted separately.

Solicitors and conveyancers don't get special discounted rates, but they can access the same electronic discounts available to all users through HM Land Registry's Business Gateway. Professional users often have Business Gateway accounts enabling them to submit applications electronically and benefit from the substantial fee reductions (typically 55% off postal rates for whole title transactions).

If you submit insufficient fees, HM Land Registry will issue a requisition asking for the additional payment before completing your application. If you overpay, they will refund the excess amount. It's important to calculate fees accurately using the current fee scales to avoid delays. Our calculator helps ensure you submit the correct amount based on the latest official rates.

Several applications are exempt from fees, including: discharging registered charges, updating property descriptions or owner details, registering deaths of proprietors, cancelling notices or restrictions, and registering home rights notices under the Family Law Act. Additionally, charges accompanying scale fee applications (like mortgages with property purchases) don't incur separate fees.

Land Registry fees can be paid by variable Direct Debit (for Business e-services account holders), cheque, or postal order made payable to 'HM Land Registry'. When paying by cheque, write the amount in words and figures, include the full date, and sign before sending. It's helpful to write the property address or title number on the back of the cheque.

Land Registry fees are set by statutory instrument under the Land Registration Act 2002 and don't change frequently. The current fee structure has been in place since January 2022. Any changes require Parliamentary approval through a fee order. HM Land Registry periodically reviews fees to ensure they remain aligned with costs and strategic objectives while staying cost-neutral to taxpayers.

Large-scale applications affecting 20 or more land units have special fee calculations. The fee is the greater of either the standard scale fee or £10 per land unit (for up to 500 units), then £5,000 plus £5 for each unit above 500. This can result in substantial savings for portfolio transactions compared to individual applications for each property.

The official source for current Land Registry fees is the HM Land Registry Registration Services fees guidance on gov.uk. Our calculator is updated to reflect the latest official rates, but for complex transactions or specific queries, always refer to the official government guidance or contact HM Land Registry directly. Professional advice from qualified conveyancers is recommended for complex property transactions.