Land Registration, England And Wales PART 1 General Citation, commencement and interpretation 1 1 This Order may be cited as the Land Registration Fee Order 2012 and shall come into force on 22nd October 2012 . 2 In this Order— “the Act” means the Land Registration Act 2002, “CLRA” means the Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Act 2002 , “charge” includes a sub-charge, “common parts” has the same meaning as in section 25 of the CLRA, “a commonhold” has the same meaning as in section 1 of the CLRA, “commonhold association” has the same meaning as in section 34 of the CLRA, “commonhold community statement” has the same meaning as in section 31 of the CLRA, “commonhold land” has the same meaning as in section 1 of the CLRA, “commonhold unit” has the same meaning as in section 11 of the CLRA, “developer” has the same meaning as in section 58 of the CLRA, “large scale application” has the same meaning as in article 6(1)(b), “monetary consideration” means a consideration in money or money’s worth (other than a nominal consideration or a consideration consisting solely of a covenant to pay money owing under a mortgage), “profit” means a profit a prendre in gross, “remote terminal” means a remote terminal communicating with the registrar’s computer system in accordance with a notice given under Schedule 2 to the rules, “the rules” means the Land Registration Rules 2003 and a rule referred to by number means the rule so numbered in the rules, “Scale 1” means Scale 1 in Schedule 1, “Scale 2” means Scale 2 in Schedule 2, “scale fee” means a fee payable in accordance with a scale set out in Schedule 1 or 2 whether or not reduced in accordance with article 2(6), “scale fee application” means an application which attracts a scale fee, or which would attract such a fee but for the operation of article 6, “share” in relation to land, means an interest in that land under a trust of land, “surrender” includes a surrender not made by deed, “termination application” has the same meaning as in section 46 of the CLRA, “unit-holder” has the same meaning as in section 12 of the CLRA, “voluntary application” means an application for first registration (other than for the registration of title to a rentcharge, a franchise, a profit or mines and minerals held apart from the surface) which is not made wholly or in part pursuant to section 4 of the Act (when title must be registered). 3 Expressions used in this Order have, unless the contrary intention appears, the meaning which they bear in the rules. PART 2 Scale fees Applications for first registration and applications for registration of a lease 2 1 The fee for an application for first registration of an estate in land is payable under Scale 1 on the value of the estate in land comprised in the application assessed under article 7, unless the application is — a for the registration of title to a lease by the original lessee or the original lessee’s personal representative, where paragraph (2) applies, b a voluntary application, where either paragraph (6) or article 6(3) applies, or c a large scale application, where article 6 applies. 2 The fee for an application by the original lessee or the original lessee’s personal representative for the registration of title to a lease, or for an application for the registration of the grant of a lease, is payable under Scale 1— a where i there is no premium, and ii either there is no rent or the rent cannot be quantified in money at the time the application is made, on the value of the lease assessed under article 7 subject to a minimum fee of £40, b where i there is a premium, and ii either there is no rent or the rent cannot be quantified in money at the time the application is made, on the premium, or c in all other cases, on an amount equal to the sum of the premium (if any) and the rent, unless either of the circumstances in paragraph (3) applies. 3 Paragraph (2) shall not apply if the application is — a a voluntary application, where paragraph (6) applies, or b a large scale application, where article 6 applies. 4 The fee for an application for the first registration of a rentcharge is £40. 5 The fee for an application for the first registration of a franchise or a profit is payable under Scale 1 on the value of the franchise or the profit assessed under article 7. 6 The fee for a voluntary application (other than a large scale application, where article 6(3) applies) is the fee which would otherwise be payable under paragraph (1) or (2) reduced by 25 per cent and, where the reduced fee would be a figure which is not a multiple of ten, the fee must be reduced to the nearest £10. 7 For the purposes of paragraph (2)— a a peppercorn rent or other rent having no money value is to be treated as if it were an annual rent of one penny, and b where the rent reserved by the lease varies or can be varied, it is to be treated as being the largest amount of annual rent the lease may reserve in the first five years of its term, or in any year where the term is less than five years. 8 In paragraph (2) a “lease” means— i a lease which grants an estate in land whether or not the grant is a registrable disposition, or ii a lease of a franchise, profit or manor the grant of which is a registrable disposition, b “premium” means the amount or value of any monetary consideration given by the lessee as part of the same transaction in which a lease is granted by way of fine, premium or otherwise, but, where a registered leasehold estate of substantially the same land is surrendered on the grant of a new lease, the premium for the new lease shall not include the value of the surrendered lease, c “rent” means the amount or value of the annual rent, or the amount or value of the rent for the term if the lease is for a term of less than one year. Transfers of registered estates for monetary consideration, etc. 3 1 Subject to paragraphs (2), (3) and (4), the fee for an application for the registration of — a a transfer of a registered estate for monetary consideration, b a transfer for the purpose of giving effect to a disposition for monetary consideration of a share in a registered estate, or c a surrender of a registered leasehold estate for monetary consideration, other than a surrender to which paragraph (3) of Schedule 4 applies, is payable under Scale 1 on the amount or value of the consideration. 2 Paragraph (1) shall not apply if the application is — a a large scale application, where article 6 applies, or b for the registration of a transfer of a registered estate made pursuant to an order of the Court under the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973 or the Civil Partnership Act 2004, where article 4(1)(g) applies. 3 Where a sale and sub-sale of a registered estate are made by separate deeds of transfer, a separate fee is payable for each deed of transfer. 4 Where a single deed of transfer gives effect to a sale and a sub-sale of the same registered estate a single fee is assessed upon the greater of the monetary consideration given by the purchaser and the monetary consideration given by the sub-purchaser. 5 The fee for an application to cancel an entry in the register of notice of an unregistered lease which has determined is payable under Scale 1 on the value of the lease immediately before its determination assessed under article 7. Transfers of registered estates otherwise than for monetary consideration, etc. 4 1 Unless the application is a large scale application (where article 6 applies), the fee for an application for the registration of — a a transfer of a registered estate otherwise than for monetary consideration (unless paragraph (2) applies), b a surrender of a registered leasehold estate otherwise than for monetary consideration, c a transfer of a registered estate by operation of law on death or bankruptcy, of an individual proprietor, d an assent of a registered estate (including a vesting assent), e an appropriation of a registered estate, f a vesting order or declaration to which section 27(5) of the Act applies, g a transfer of a registered estate made pursuant to an order of the Court under the Matrimonial Causes Act 1973 or the Civil Partnership Act 2004, is payable under Scale 2 on the value of the registered estate which is the subject of the application, assessed under article 7, but after deducting from it the amount secured on the registered estate by any charge subject to which the registration takes effect. 2 Where a transfer of a registered estate otherwise than for monetary consideration is for the purpose of giving effect to the disposition of a share in a registered estate, the fee for an application for its registration is payable under Scale 2 on the value of that share. Charges of registered estates or registered charges 5 1 The fee for an application for the registration of a charge is payable under Scale 2 on the amount of the charge assessed under article 8 unless it is an application to which paragraph (2), (3) or (4) applies. 2 No fee is payable for an application to register a charge lodged with or before the completion of either a scale fee application or an application to which paragraph (18) in Part 1 of Schedule 3 applies (“the primary application”) that will result in the chargor being registered as proprietor of the registered estate included in the charge unless — a the charge includes a registered estate which is not included in the primary application, where paragraph (4) applies, or b the primary application is a voluntary application, in which case this paragraph shall apply only if the application to register the charge accompanies the primary application. 3 No fee is to be paid for an application to register a charge made by a predecessor in title of the applicant that is lodged with or before completion of an application for first registration of the estate included in the charge. 4 Where a charge also includes a registered estate which is not included in the primary application (“the additional property”) any fee payable under Scale 2 is to be assessed on an amount calculated as follows: V a l u e o f t h e a d d i t i o n a l p r o p e r t y V a l u e o f a l l t h e p r o p e r t y i n c l u d e d i n t h e c h a r g e × A m o u n t s e c u r e d b y t h e c h a r g e 5 The fee for an application for the registration of — a a transfer of a registered charge for monetary consideration, or b a transfer for the purpose of giving effect to a disposition for monetary consideration of a share in a registered charge, is payable under Scale 2 on the amount or value of the consideration. 6 The fee for an application for the registration of the transfer of a registered charge otherwise than for monetary consideration is payable under Scale 2 on — a the amount secured by the registered charge at the time of the transfer, or b where the transfer relates to more than one charge, the aggregate of the amounts secured by the registered charges at the time of the transfer. 7 The fee for an application for the registration of a transfer for the purpose of giving effect to a disposition otherwise than for monetary consideration of a share in a registered charge is payable under Scale 2 on — a the proportionate part of the amount secured by the registered charge at the time of the transfer, or b where the transfer relates to more than one charge, the proportionate part of the aggregate of the amounts secured by the registered charges at the time of the transfer. 8 This article takes effect subject to article 6 (large scale applications). Large scale applications, etc. 6 1 In this article — a “land unit” means — i the land registered under a single title number other than, in the case of an application to register a charge, any estate under any title number which is included in a primary application within the meaning of article 5(2), or ii on a first registration application, a separate area of land not adjoining any other unregistered land affected by the same application. b “large scale application” means a scale fee application which relates to 20 or more land units, other than an application to register a disposition by the developer affecting the whole or part of the freehold estate in land which has been registered as a freehold estate in commonhold land, or a low value application, c “low value application” means a scale fee application, other than an application for first registration, where the value of the land or the amount of the charge to which it relates (as the case may be) does not exceed £30,000. 2 Subject to paragraphs (3) and (4), the fee for a large scale application is the greater of — a the scale fee, and b a fee calculated on the following basis — i where the application relates to not more than 500 land units, £10 for each land unit, or ii where the application relates to more than 500 land units, £5,000 plus £5 for each land unit in excess of 500. 3 If a large scale application is a voluntary application, the fee payable under paragraph (2) is reduced by 25 per cent and, where the reduced fee would be a figure which is not a multiple of ten, the fee must be reduced to the nearest £10. 4 The maximum fee payable for a large scale application for first registration is £40,000 unless the application is a voluntary application in which case the maximum fee is £30,000. PART 3 Valuation Valuation (first registration and registered estates) 7 1 The value of the estate in land, franchise, profit, manor or share is the maximum amount for which it could be sold in the open market free from any charge — a in the case of a surrender, at the date immediately before the surrender, and b in any other case, at the date of the application. 2 As evidence of the amount referred to in paragraph (1), the registrar may require a written statement signed by the applicant or the applicant’s conveyancer or by any other person who, in the registrar’s opinion, is competent to make the statement. 3 Where an application for first registration is made on — a the purchase of a leasehold estate by the reversioner, b the purchase of a reversion by the leaseholder, or c any other like occasion, and an unregistered interest is determined, the value of the land is the combined value of the reversionary and determined interests assessed in accordance with paragraphs (1) and (2). Valuation (charges) 8 1 On an application for registration of a charge, the amount of the charge is — a where the charge secures a fixed amount, that amount, b where the charge secures further advances and the maximum amount that can be advanced or owed at any one time is limited, that amount, c where the charge secures further advances and the total amount that can be advanced or owed at any one time is not limited, the value of the property charged, d where the charge is by way of additional or substituted security or by way of guarantee, an amount equal to the lesser of — i the amount secured or guaranteed, and ii the value of the property charged, or e where the charge secures an obligation or liability which is contingent upon the happening of a future event (“the obligation”), and is not a charge to which sub-paragraph (d) applies, an amount equal to — i the maximum amount or value of the obligation, or ii if that maximum amount is greater than the value of the property charged, or is not limited by the charge, or cannot be calculated at the time of the application, the value of the property charged. 2 Where a charge of a kind referred to in paragraph (1)(a) or (1)(b) is secured on unregistered land or other property as well as on a registered estate or registered charge, the fee is payable on an amount calculated as follows — V a l u e o f t h e r e g i s t e r e d e s t a t e o r r e g i s t e r e d c h a r g e V a l u e o f a l l t h e p r o p e r t y c h a r g e d × A m o u n t o f t h e c h a r g e 3 Where one deed contains two or more charges made by the same chargor to secure the same debt, the deed is to be treated as a single charge, and the fee for registration of the charge is to be paid on the lesser of — a the amount of the whole debt, and b an amount equal to the value of the property charged. 4 Where one deed contains two or more charges to secure the same debt not made by the same chargor, the deed is to be treated as a separate single charge by each of the chargors and a separate fee is to be paid for registration of the charge by each chargor on the lesser of — a the amount of the whole debt, and b an amount equal to the value of the property charged by that chargor. 5 In this article “value of the property charged” means the value of the registered estate or the amount of the registered charge or charges affected by the application to register the charge, less the amount secured by any prior registered charges. PART 4 Fixed Fees and Exemptions Fixed fees 9 1 Subject to paragraph (2) and to article 10, the fees for the applications and services specified in Schedule 3 shall be those set out in that Schedule. 2 Where an application is one specified in paragraphs (1), (2) or (10) in Part 1 of Schedule 3 affecting the whole or part of the freehold estate in land which has been registered as a freehold estate in commonhold land registered in the name of the developer under more than one title number, the fee is to be assessed as if the application affects only one title. Exemptions 10 No fee is payable for any of the applications and services specified in Schedule 4. PART 5 General and Administrative Provisions Cost of surveys, advertisements and special enquiries 11 The applicant is to meet the costs of any survey, advertisement or other special enquiry that the registrar requires to be made or published in dealing with an application. Applications not otherwise referred to 12 The fee payable for an application in respect of which no other fee is payable under this Order shall be £40. Method of payment 13 1 Except where the registrar otherwise permits, every fee shall be paid by means of a cheque or postal order crossed and made payable to Land Registry. 2 Where there is an agreement with the applicant, a fee may be paid by direct debit to such bank account of the land registry as the registrar may from time to time direct. 3 Where the amount of the fee payable on an application is immediately quantifiable, the fee shall be payable on delivery of the application. 4 Where the amount of the fee payable on an application is not immediately quantifiable, the applicant shall pay the sum of £40 towards the fee when the application is made and shall lodge at the same time an undertaking to pay on demand the balance of the fee due, if any. 5 Where an outline application is made, the fee payable shall be the fee payable under paragraph (9) of Part 1 of Schedule 3 in addition to the fee otherwise payable under this Order. Credit accounts 14 1 Any person may, if authorised by the registrar, use a credit account in accordance with this article for the payment of fees for applications and services of such kind as the registrar shall from time to time direct. 2 To enable the registrar to consider whether or not a person applying to use a credit account may be so authorised, that person shall supply the registrar with such information and evidence as the registrar may require in order to be satisfied of that person’s fitness to hold a credit account and the ability of that person to pay any amounts which may become due from time to time under a credit account. 3 To enable the registrar to consider from time to time whether or not an account holder may continue to be authorised to use a credit account, the account holder shall supply the registrar, when requested to do so, with such information and evidence as the registrar may require in order to be satisfied of the account holder’s continuing fitness to hold a credit account and the continuing ability of the account holder to pay any amounts which may become due from time to time under the account holder’s credit account. 4 Where an account holder makes an application where credit facilities are available to the account holder, the account holder may make a request, in such manner as the registrar directs, for the appropriate fee to be debited to the account holder’s credit account, but the registrar shall not be required to accept such a request where the amount due on the account exceeds the credit limit applicable to the credit account, or would exceed it if the request were to be accepted. 5 Where an account holder makes an application where credit facilities are available to the account holder, and the application is accompanied neither by a fee nor a request for the fee to be debited to the account holder’s account, the registrar may debit the fee to the account holder’s account. 6 The registrar shall send a statement of account to each account holder at the end of each calendar month or such other interval as the registrar shall direct. 7 The account holder must pay any sums due on the account holder’s credit account before the date and in the manner specified by the registrar. 8 The registrar may at any time terminate or suspend any or all authorisations given under paragraph (1). 9 In this article— a “account holder” means a person holding a credit account, b “credit account” means an account authorised by the registrar under paragraph (1), c “credit limit” in relation to a credit account authorised for use under paragraph (1) means the maximum amount (if any) which is to be due on the account at any time, as notified by the registrar to the account holder from time to time, by means of such communication as the registrar considers appropriate. Revocation 15 The Land Registration Fee Order 2009 is revoked. Signed by the authority of the Secretary of State Norman Lamb Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Employment Relations, Consumer and Postal Affairs Department of Business, Innovation and Skills 18th July 2012 We consent Angela Watkinson Brooks Newmark Two of the Lord Commissioners of Her Majesty’s Treasury 24th July 2012