HM Land Registry requisitions: the common causes and how to avoid them

Not legal advice. This page has not been reviewed by a solicitor.

The short answer

A requisition is HM Land Registry asking for something missing or wrong before it can register an application. Nearly 20% of applications get one, and HM Land Registry says nearly half could be avoided (requisitions). Most applications get 60 working days to answer, with a warning of cancellation usually after 40; an unanswered requisition can get the application cancelled (Practice Guide 50).

Where this form fits in a property purchase (England and Wales)

Offer acceptedSeller's informationTA6 TA10
Exchange and completionThe transfer deedTR1
Within 14 days (England) or 30 days (Wales)Tax on the purchase: SDLT in England, LTT in WalesSDLT return
Within 30 working daysRegistrationAP1 ID1
After lodgingHM Land Registry's questionsRequisitions

The seven most common causes, and the check for each

Cause (HM Land Registry's list)	The check before you lodge
Discharge of charges	Get the seller's lender's discharge (DS1 or electronic) in the right form, and check every charge on the register is dealt with.
Restrictions in the register	Read each restriction and send the consent or certificate it asks for with the application.
Variations between the register, transfer and charge	Match names, title numbers, property description and price across the register, TR1 and mortgage deed.
Execution of deeds and powers of attorney	Check signatures and witnessing on every deed, and send the power of attorney (or a certified copy) where one was used.
Confirmation of identity	Complete the identity panels on the AP1, and get an ID1 or ID2 for any party without a conveyancer.
Company charges	Check the charge against Companies House and send what HM Land Registry needs for it.
Errors in lodging applications electronically	Re-read the e-application: applications in the right order, documents attached and readable, fees right.

How long you have

The timescales below are from Practice Guide 50.

Day 0Requisition raised
20 working daysThe rule period
40 working daysWarning of cancellation, usually
60 working daysAllowed for most applications; then it may be cancelled

The rule period is 20 working days, and HM Land Registry will usually extend by 20 working days if you're actively resolving the problem (Practice Guide 50). If it cancels, the application loses its place in the queue, and with it the protection of any official search priority, so a later application could be registered first, which matters when a purchase depends on the 30-working-day protection of an official search (see the AP1 guide).

Related forms

TR1: the transfer deed, where names and execution go wrong.
AP1: the application, its panels and fees.
ID1: identity for anyone without a conveyancer.
SDLT return: the SDLT5 certificate that must go with a purchase.

Questions

What is a Land Registry requisition?

A formal request from HM Land Registry for information or documents that are missing, incomplete or wrong in an application. It can't complete the registration until the requisition is answered.

How common are requisitions?

HM Land Registry says nearly 20% of registration applications need a requisition, up to 50% at some firms, and nearly half of all requisitions could be avoided.

How long do I have to reply to a requisition?

The rule period is 20 working days, but HM Land Registry allows 60 working days for most applications, normally with a warning of cancellation after 40. It will usually extend by 20 working days if you're actively resolving the problem.

What happens if a requisition isn't answered?

HM Land Registry may cancel the application. A cancelled application loses its place in the queue, and with it the protection of any official search priority, so a later application could be registered first.

Where are the rules on requisitions?

HM Land Registry's Practice Guide 50, Requisition and cancellation procedures, and its guidance page on the most common reasons for requisitions.

Sources

Checked against these sources on 30 October 2026. Updated 30 October 2026. General information, not legal advice: Instrukt is not a law firm and doesn't provide conveyancing. Always use the current form from GOV.UK.