Registers of Scotland (RoS) and the Scottish Trans Alliance have teamed up to produce a short video letting trans customers know about policies that have been put in place to support them when registering land and property ownership.
Following discussions with members of the trans community, RoS introduced a new policy relating to changes of name on title sheets.
When we are told by a person that they are undergoing, or have undergone, a process of gender reassignment we will show only their new name on their title sheet and change existing entries in the securities section so that they no longer reflect the name used in the security deed, but instead reflect their new name as granter of a heritable security.
A short video featuring the Keeper of the Registers of Scotland, Jennifer Henderson, and Manager of the Scottish Trans Alliance, James Morton, will be shared on social media to let trans people know about the policy.
Commenting on the campaign, James Morton said:
“The right to privacy about their trans history is very important to many trans people. Being outed as trans by property title deeds showing their previous name can cause significant distress and expose individuals to prejudice. We greatly welcome that Registers of Scotland have improved their procedures to enable trans people to easily update their title deeds. This will help uphold dignity and respect for trans people.”
Jennifer Henderson added:
“I was delighted to welcome James to Meadowbank House to talk about this policy, and explore other ways that we can support our trans customers. We know how important respectful recognition of trans people’s identities is, and it’s for that reason that we have put procedures in place to ensure that trans customers updating their title sheets with new names accurately reflecting their identity are treated with dignity and respect.
“I hope that this will give customers some reassurance that we take trans equality seriously, and are keen to keep an open mind about other ways in which we can adapt our work practices, to ensure that we are always thinking about how best to meet the needs of all of our customers.”