HM Land Registry is amending descriptions of easements in title registers to provide greater consistency, clarity and accuracy, after some legal professionals found the wording confusing.
Writing in an HMLR blog, head of practice David Linn said descriptions will be updated with new standardised language from 15th September. Explanatory notes will also be updated. No changes will be made to application processes or evidence requirements, and existing easement entries will remain unchanged and legally valid.
The changes are intended to promote improved accessibility and understanding for all register users, including members of the public. ‘Land registration language can sometimes appear inconsistent, with different wording describing the same legal concepts’, Linn said.
“For easement entries, some registers currently state ‘the land has the benefit of any legal easements’ while others read ‘the title includes any legal easements’. This variation can create confusion for legal professionals and members of the public who rely on registers for clear, accurate information about property rights.”
The standardisation aims to ensure title registers remain fit for purpose for modern property transactions, easy to understand for legal experts and general users, reliable and accurate as official records of property rights, and consistent across all registered titles. HMLR caseworkers will receive new internal guidance to ensure consistent application of the standards.
Examples of the changes to be made include:
Before: “The land has the benefit of any legal easements…” The land has the benefit of any legal easements granted by the Transfer dated 5 September 2025 referred to in the Charges Register but is subject to any rights that are reserved by the said deed and affect the registered land.
After: ”The title includes any legal easements…” The title includes any legal easements granted by the Transfer dated 15 September 2025 referred to in the Charges Register but is subject to any rights that are reserved by the said deed and affect the registered land.
Before: “The rights granted by clause 4.2 of the Transfer are included in the registration only so far as they are granted over title number NE1862.”
After: ”The legal easements granted by clause 4.2 of the Transfer are included in the title only so far as they are granted over title number NE1862.”
The updates follow previous changes to language around personal covenants in November last year, which HMLR says was widely welcomed as a significant improvement to title register consistency. ‘We will continue identifying opportunities to enhance how we record and describe entries on title registers’, the organisation added.
HMLR welcomes feedback on the changes, which can be sent to customercommunicationsteam@landregistry.gov.uk
