Search and copy fees changing

Note setting out the new fees to be charged by the Registers from 28 November for searching and copying

The Journal, November 2005, page 55

On 28 November 2005 the Fees in the Registers of Scotland Amendment Order 2005 will come into force. The order affects fees for the provision of information from, and inspection of, the various registers maintained by the Agency. The fees changing include those for the use of Registers Direct, the provision of Land Register reports, and charges for copy deeds. The new Order does not affect registration or recording fees, which will instead be the subject of a separate review and consultation process next year.

The new fees are the outcome of an internal Agency review of the fees charged for the provision of such information and services, as well as a consultation exercise which sought the views of the Agency’s customers. Further details about the consultation, and the responses received, can be found on the Agency website, www.ros.gov.uk.

As a result of the new Order, fees for the use of Registers Direct and inspection of the registers are reducing, whereas the fees for Land Register reports are increasing to reflect more accurately the current cost of supplying these services. The average fees for copies and extracts will also increase. Instead, a new fixed fee for copies and extracts is being introduced. The same fee will be charged irrespective of the length of the relevant deed.

The new fees come into effect on 28 November 2005. All requests for Land Register reports, extracts or copy deeds received on or after that day will be charged at the new fees. All requests for a search report to be issued on or after that day, the request having been submitted prior to that day using the Diary Service, will also be charged using the new fees.

The table below sets out all the changes. Fees are exclusive of VAT, where appropriate.

INSPECTION OF THE REGISTERS

General Register of Sasines

For a search in the presentment book (per item searched for) - New fee £ 1.65

For a search in the minute book (per item searched for) - New fee £ 1.65

For each search sheet viewed - New fee £ 1.65

(Note: There is no fee for searching the indices of persons or places)

Land Register of Scotland

For a search of the application record (per item searched for) - New fee £ 3.30

For a search of the title sheet record (per title sheet searched for) - New fee £ 3.30

Per view of a title sheet for an interest in land - New fee £ 3.30

Per index map search - New fee £ 1.65

Per property price search - New fee £ 3.30

(Note: If you search for a title number by name, address or title number and then view that title sheet, the fee charged is for viewing the title sheet only. Otherwise the search is charged for.)

CHANCERY AND JUDICIAL REGISTERS

For a search in the Register of Deeds or Register of Judgments - New fee £ 1.65

For a search against up to six names in Register of Inhibitions - New fee £ 1.65

(Note: The fee for a search against a specified minute number in the Register of Inhibitions remains unchanged at £1.00. A search includes a print disclosing relevant entries if requested within seven working days of the date of the original search.)

LAND REGISTER REPORTS

Form 10 - New fee £ 27.00

Form 11 - New fee £ 15.00

Form 12 - New fee £ 27.00

Form 13 - New fee £ 15.00

Form 14 - New fee £ 27.00

P16 - New fee £ 27.00

P17 - New fee £ 27.00

Form 10/P16 - New fee £ 40.00

Form 12/P17 - New fee £ 40.00

MISCELLANEOUS SERVICES

Provision of a plain or duplicate copy deed* - New fee £ 16.50

Provision of a certified copy or official extract of deed* - New fee £ 20.70

Provision of office copy* - New fee £ 25.00

Provision of sasine deed (plus National Archives handling charge) - New fee £ 9.00

For the handling of second copies requested at the same time as the first - New fee £ 6.00

Provision of Land Register archive information per deed  - New fee £ 14.20

Provision of a copy of minutes of Register of Inhibitions (per day) - New fee £ 21.00

(*Note: These fees are fixed and charged irrespective of the length of the deed requested.)