HM Land Registry Fees, What You Pay to Register a Property in 2026
HM Land Registry charges a registration fee on every property purchase, remortgage, and title change. This guide sets out the current fee scales and explains how they are calculated.
Published: 16 Mar 2026 · Updated: 16 Mar 2026 · 6 min read
What are HM Land Registry Fees?
HM Land Registry (HMLR) charges fees for registering changes to property ownership and for certain searches and applications. These fees are set by statutory instrument and are reviewed periodically. For buyers, the registration fee is a standard disbursement on every completion statement, paid by the solicitor on your behalf.
Registration Fee Scale 1, Transfers of Whole (Purchase)
The fee for registering a purchase of the whole of a registered title is calculated on the purchase price using the following scale (Scale 1). These are the standard residential purchase fees.
| Purchase price | Scale 1 fee (postal) | Scale 1 fee (electronic) |
|---|---|---|
| Up to £80,000 | £20 | £20 |
| £80,001 – £100,000 | £40 | £40 |
| £100,001 – £200,000 | £95 | £95 |
| £200,001 – £500,000 | £135 | £135 |
| £500,001 – £1,000,000 | £270 | £270 |
| £1,000,001 and over | £455 | £455 |
HMLR encourages electronic applications, all solicitors submitting through the Land Registry portal use the electronic fee, which for most residential purchases is the same as the postal rate. Confirm the current fee schedule with HMLR directly as fees are subject to change.
Scale 2, Mortgages and Remortgages
When a lender registers a charge (mortgage) against a property, the fee is calculated on the amount of the charge rather than the property value. Scale 2 applies:
| Charge amount | Scale 2 fee |
|---|---|
| Up to £100,000 | £45 |
| £100,001 – £200,000 | £95 |
| £200,001 – £500,000 | £135 |
| £500,001 – £1,000,000 | £270 |
| £1,000,001 and over | £455 |
For a remortgage, your solicitor will register the new lender's charge and discharge the old one. The Scale 2 fee applies to the new charge amount.
First Registration
If a property is not yet registered with HMLR (some older properties still carry unregistered title), a first registration is required. HMLR currently offers a reduced fee for voluntary first registrations, typically 50% of the Scale 1 fee. Compulsory first registration triggers on sale, mortgage, or transfer.
Official Copies and Searches
Beyond registration fees, HMLR charges separately for:
- **Official copy of the title register**, £3 per document
- **Official copy of the title plan**, £3 per document
- **Official search with priority**, £3 per title, protects the buyer's application for 30 business days
- **Search of the index map**, £4 per search
These are standard disbursements your solicitor will incur during conveyancing and will pass on as part of your completion statement.
How Land Registry Fees Appear on Your Completion Statement
Your solicitor will list the HMLR registration fee as a disbursement, meaning it is a payment made on your behalf to a third party rather than the solicitor's own charge. It should be itemised separately and not bundled into the legal fee. Property Passport UK displays the title number and registration status for every property it indexes, giving you a clear view of whether a property's title is already registered before you instruct solicitors.
Checking You Have Been Charged Correctly
To verify the fee your solicitor has included:
- Confirm the purchase price matches the contract
- Look up the corresponding Scale 1 band in the table above
- Check whether electronic or postal submission has been noted
- Contact HMLR directly if the fee appears inconsistent with the scale
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