From November 2022, HM Land Registry will no longer be accepting traditional scanned or PDF copies of AP1s via the HM Land Registry portal – marking the first time in history that the agency has made a digital channel mandatory.
As the deadline draws ever closer, Matt Joy, Sales and Marketing Director at tmgroup, explains why this is a welcomed change, and how forward-thinking firms are already seeing efficiency gains in making the switch to digital applications ahead of time.
So, what could you stand to gain from making the switch sooner rather than later?
#1 – Easier redistribution of work over the summer holiday period
Digital applications allow for easy redistribution of work in the event of sickness or holiday, as Victoria Follows – Partner – Hand Morgan Owen comments:
“I find it very useful to be able to see everyone’s cases, so if a colleague is off sick or on holiday, I can continue to progress their SDLT and AP1 submissions and meet our tight deadlines.”
With the “Great British Getaway” just around the corner, could you make life easier for yourself this summer?
#2 – Reduced double entry
By completing searches, SDLT submissions, and AP1 submissions all in one place, our platform can pre-populate forms with information direct from the case – all helping your teams to reduce the chore of double entry and work more efficiently; saving valuable time which can be better spent elsewhere.
#3 – Fewer HMLR requisitions
Working digitally can also help to minimise avoidable requisitions (and delays) e.g. due to typos and inconsistencies in AP1 applications – thanks to our smart forms validating and error-checking every section before you hit send. This in turn helps HM Land Registry to process applications much faster – for everyone’s benefit.
#4 – Increased visibility of submissions
Conveyancing managers can better monitor compliance and benefit from consistent processing of all registration applications across the firm via our management dashboard for AP1 submissions.
It offers full visibility of the status of all pending or draft applications, and allows users to progress their colleagues’ applications too.
We can also support managers in tracking how many requisitions are being triggered against individuals, alerting them to additional training needs within the team.
#5 – Less pressure on your team
Not everyone likes change (I’m sure a few team members spring to mind already!), so why not make the transition as smooth as possible by getting started early?
Yes, most of your team will hit the ground running, but some will need more of a helping hand. Here’s where getting ahead of the official deadline might just give them the time they need to ask questions and request additional training so they are comfortable with the new process – before it’s mandatory and the pressure mounts to get it right first time.
Do you know your options?
tmgroup and Conveyancing Data Services (CDS) solutions can help conveyancers prepare for the November 2022 changes. Complete with integrated and smart SDLT & AP1 submission forms, prepopulated case details, built-in validation and error checking, our platform reduces the chore of double entry, decreases AP1 cancellations, limits requisitions, and more. Best of all, our AP1 digital solution is free! Alternatively, firms can also lodge applications via the Digital Registration Service on the HMLR portal or develop a direct integration with HM Land Registry’s Business Gateway service.
If you’d like to find out more about what you can do to prepare for November 2022, please take a look at this webinar, submit an enquiry, or get in touch with Richard Pickles, National Sales Director at tmgroup on 07790 485721 or via email on rpickles@conveyancingdata.com
This article was submitted to be published by tmgroup as part of their advertising agreement with Today’s Conveyancer. The views expressed in this article are those of the submitter and not those of Today’s Conveyancer.
