Calculate HM Land Registry fees for property transactions in England
and Wales with current updated rates
Note: All fees are based on current HM Land Registry fee structures as of .
Electronic submissions: Receive up to 55% discount for transfers of whole titles.
Enter an amount to see the fee breakdown
A Land Registry fee is a statutory charge paid to HM Land Registry. This government agency maintains the official register of property ownership in England and Wales. The fee covers the administrative cost of updating ownership records.
HM Land Registry statutory fees are not subject to Value Added Tax. Property buyers pay these fees separately from Stamp Duty Land Tax. The two charges serve different purposes and go to different government departments.
The fee amount depends on three main factors:
Land Registry fees follow two primary scales. Scale 1 applies to transfers, leases, and first registrations. Scale 2 applies to non-monetary transfers and charges.
Scale 1 fees apply when property changes ownership for money. This includes most property purchases and sales. The fee is based on the consideration, which is usually the purchase price.
For properties with VAT charges, the fee calculation includes the tax amount. If a property costs £900,000 with £180,000 VAT, the fee applies to the total £1,080,000.
| Value Range | Electronic Fee | Paper Fee |
|---|---|---|
| £0 to £80,000 | £20 | £45 |
| £80,001 to £100,000 | £40 | £95 |
| £100,001 to £200,000 | £100 | £230 |
| £200,001 to £500,000 | £150 | £330 |
| £500,001 to £1,000,000 | £295 | £655 |
| Over £1,000,001 | £500 | £1,105 |
Scale 2 applies to transactions without monetary consideration. This includes gifts, inheritance transfers, and mortgage registrations.
For mortgages, the fee is assessed on the maximum amount secured. If a mortgage secures £150,000, the fee calculation uses that amount.
| Value Range | Electronic (Whole) | Electronic (Part) | Paper |
|---|---|---|---|
| £0 to £100,000 | £20 | £45 | £45 |
| £100,001 to £200,000 | £30 | £70 | £70 |
| £200,001 to £500,000 | £45 | £100 | £100 |
| £500,001 to £1,000,000 | £65 | £145 | £145 |
| Over £1,000,001 | £140 | £305 | £305 |
Reduced fees for electronic applications only apply to dealings of whole titles. Electronic submission offers significant cost savings for qualifying transactions.
Transfers of whole titles receive a 55% discount compared to paper submissions. For a £250,000 property transfer, electronic submission costs £150 instead of £330.
Electronic applications process faster than paper submissions. The digital system reduces handling time and human error. Most solicitors and conveyancers now use electronic submission as standard practice.
Some applications cannot be submitted electronically. Complex transactions often require paper forms. Applications affecting part of a registered title may need paper submission.
Payment by cheque requires the amount written in words on the left side and numbers in the box on the right. The date must be written in full format.
Property transfers record ownership changes in the Land Registry. Most home purchases use this process. The fee payable is based on the consideration, which is usually the purchase price.
When property includes both registered and unregistered land, separate applications are needed. A separate AP1 form covers registered land and an FR1 form covers unregistered land. Separate fees apply to both parts based on apportioned value.
First registration applies when unregistered property enters the Land Registry system. HM Land Registry aims for registration of all land in England and Wales by 2030.
Voluntary first registrations receive a minimum 25% reduction on standard Scale 1 fees. This discount encourages property owners to register unregistered land.
| Value Range | Voluntary Registration Fee |
|---|---|
| £0 to £80,000 | £30 |
| £80,001 to £100,000 | £70 |
| £100,001 to £200,000 | £170 |
| £200,001 to £500,000 | £250 |
| £500,001 to £1,000,000 | £495 |
| Over £1,000,001 | £830 |
The fee for mortgage registration is assessed under Scale 2 on the maximum amount secured. When a mortgage allows further advances, the fee covers the total possible borrowing.
There is no fee to register the discharge of an existing loan. Property owners remortgaging only pay for the new mortgage registration.
Lease registration fees use Scale 1 rates. The calculation method differs from simple transfers. The fee is based on premium plus rent.
Rent means the largest amount of annual rent the lease reserves within the first five years. For example, a lease with £100 annual rent rising to £125 in year five uses £125 for the calculation.
Scale 1 fees do not apply to rentcharges. The fee is £40 regardless of rentcharge value. This flat fee applies to all rentcharge registrations.
Several applications are exempt from fees. Discharging a registered charge is exempt from fees. Changing property descriptions or updating names also carries no charge.
When a mortgage accompanies a property purchase, only the transfer fee applies. The mortgage registration is exempt if submitted before the transfer completes.
Electronic transfers of whole titles using the portal or Business Gateway receive a 55% reduction compared to postal applications. This represents the largest available discount.
First-time registrations qualify for reduced fees. Voluntary first registration typically receives a 25% discount on the standard Scale 1 fee.
Transfers of part and lease applications do not qualify for electronic discounts. Applications to register leases cannot receive reduced fees even when using the portal or Business Gateway.
A buyer purchases a property for £250,000. The transaction uses electronic submission for the whole title.
The fee falls in the £200,001 to £500,000 band. Electronic submission costs £150. Paper submission would cost £330. The electronic method saves £180.
A property owner voluntarily registers a house worth £400,000. As it is voluntary first registration, the fee is the Scale 1 fee reduced by 25%.
The standard paper fee for £400,000 is £330. With the 25% discount, the voluntary first registration costs £250.
A homeowner remortgages a house for a better interest rate. The new mortgage secures £200,000. The fee is assessed under Scale 2 on £200,000, which is the maximum amount secured.
Using electronic submission for the whole title, the Scale 2 fee is £30. There is no fee for discharging the old mortgage.
A developer buys sites from 3 separate landowners for £1.2 million, £1.7 million and £850,000. Three Scale 1 fees are payable, assessed on the price paid in each separate sale.
Each transaction requires a separate fee calculation. The developer cannot combine the purchases into a single fee.
HM Land Registry accepts two main payment methods. Electronic submissions typically use variable Direct Debit through Business e-services accounts. Paper applications require cheque or postal order.
Cheques must be made payable to HM Land Registry. The payment should accompany the application to the standard address.
For cheque payments, write the property title number or address on the back. This helps Land Registry staff match payments to applications correctly.
A Land Registry fee calculator provides instant cost estimates. Users enter the property value and select the transaction type. The calculator applies current fee rates automatically.
The calculator shows fees for both electronic and paper submission. This helps property buyers compare costs and choose the most economical option.
Automatic detection of applicable fee scale based on transaction type
Shows savings up to 55% for electronic whole title transfers
Complete fee breakdown showing base fee, discounts, and final amount
Land Registry fees last increased in January 2022. Registration service fees have remained stable since that date.
Under section 102 of the Land Registration Act 2002, changes to HM Land Registry fees need to be set by means of a fee order which is a statutory instrument. This legal requirement ensures parliamentary oversight of fee changes.
HM Land Registry continues reviewing its fee structure. The review explores pricing options to make information services as accessible as possible while ensuring cost neutrality to taxpayers.
Land Registry fees are administrative charges paid to HM Land Registry for updating the central register of property ownership. Stamp Duty Land Tax is a tax on land transactions paid to HM Revenue and Customs.
The two charges are completely separate. Property buyers must budget for both costs. Land Registry fees cover administrative work. Stamp Duty represents a purchase tax.
Stamp Duty Land Tax is typically payable when acquiring an interest in land or property in England and Northern Ireland for a consideration of more than £40,000. The amount depends on purchase price and buyer circumstances.
Electronic transfers of whole titles receive a 55% discount. Always choose this option when available.
Voluntary first registrations qualify for a minimum 25% reduction. Register unregistered property before any future transaction.
Submit mortgage applications with property transfers. This eliminates the separate mortgage fee.
Verify whether your transaction qualifies for fee exemptions. Simple name changes and charge discharges are free.
Conveyancers often have Business Gateway accounts. They can access the lowest electronic submission rates.
Most property transactions involve solicitors or licensed conveyancers. These professionals handle Land Registry applications as part of their service.
Professional conveyancers manage the entire registration process. They calculate fees, prepare documents, and submit applications. This reduces errors and speeds up processing.
For complex transactions, professional advice prevents costly mistakes. Property lawyers understand fee structures and can identify savings opportunities.
Land Registry fees apply uniformly across England and Wales. No regional variations exist. A £200,000 property in London pays the same registration fee as one in rural Wales.
Scotland and Northern Ireland have separate land registration systems. They maintain different fee structures and registration processes.
For a £300,000 property transfer, the electronic submission fee is £150. Paper submission costs £330. The transaction falls in the £200,001 to £500,000 band.
Land Registry fees represent an essential cost in property transactions. Understanding fee structures helps buyers budget accurately. Electronic submission offers significant savings for qualifying transactions.
The fee calculator simplifies cost estimation. Users can compare different submission methods and transaction types instantly. This transparency helps property buyers make informed decisions.
For accurate fee calculations and smooth property transactions, consider professional conveyancing services. They ensure compliance with all requirements while minimizing costs and delays.
