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Land Registry has extended the five-year retention period for certain deeds and documents lodged before 13 October 2003. The deadline has been extended to 28 February 2009, after which Land Registry will start destroying these deeds and documents if an electronic copy is also held on its database, unless they have been returned or a request has been made for their return.

Under rule 204 of the Land Registration Rules 2003, certain persons, usually the registered proprietor, were given five years in which they could make requests for the return of original documents lodged before 13 October 2003 and on which a register entry is or was founded. Although this period expired on 12 October 2008, Land Registry will continue to consider all requests for their return, but there is a risk that if the request is received after 28 February

2009 the document will have been destroyed.

Requests should be made in writing to the appropriate local office or using Land Registry form RD1. There is a fee of £8 per document.

Land Registry's practice in relation to the retention and return of documents changed on 13 October 2003, when the Land Registration Rules 2003 came into force. In applications made since that date, customers can request the return of original documents, and Land Registry must comply with the request provided, in most cases, that a copy of the document is enclosed with the application.

Notes to editors

1. The Land Registration Rules 2003 came into force on 13 October 2003. (see press notice 31/03 issued 13 October 2003).

2. With the world's largest online property database of its kind, detailing over 22 million titles, Land Registry underpins the economy by safeguarding ownership of many billions of pounds worth of property.

3. As a government department established in 1862, executive agency and trading fund responsible to the Secretary of State for Justice and Lord Chancellor, Land Registry keeps and maintains the Land Register for England and Wales. The Land Register has been an open document since 1990.

4. For further information about Land Registry, please visit http://www.landregistry.gov.uk/

 Contacts

Marion Shelley 020 7166 4543