FOI Release: Casework taking longer than two years to complete
Published: 22 July 2024Freedom of information class: How we're performing
Information request under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 (FOISA).
FOI reference: CW-2024-343
Date received: 26 June 2024
Date responded: 15 July 2024
Information requested:
What is the proportion of houses having their registrations delayed for over two years?
Response:
While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance RoS does not have the exact information you have requested. As an alternative, and to comply with the Section 15 Duty to Provide Advice and Assistance, we have provided the related figures below.
Please note that all of the figures in this response relate to applications made to the Land Register of Scotland only, and do not include applications made to the General Register of Sasines.
Total number of applications for registration received between January 2018 and June 2024 | 2,297,442 |
---|---|
Number of applications which remain in our open casework and are older than two years | 58,936 (2.6%) |
Number of applications which were registered between January 2018 and June 2024 but took more than two years to complete | 55,880 (2.4%) |
Methodology
To collate the above information, we had to define a timescale. The oldest unregistered case held by RoS dates from January 2018. Therefore, we have identified how many applications for registration were received between 01 January 2018 and 30 June 2024 (2,297,442).
We have also had to provide two figures to get as close as possible to the information requested – one for Open Casework and another for completed casework.
Therefore, for the period 01 January 2018 – 30 June 2024, we have provided:
- Open casework - the number of applications received that remain in our open casework and are more than two years old (58,936); and
- Completed casework - applications that are now registered but took more than two years to complete (55,880).
It should be noted that:
- Applications can relate to more than just residential housing (e.g., commercial properties).
- Applications do not necessarily include deeds transferring the ownership of a property – for example, our figures also include applications made to register standard securities.
- Our figures include all applications made to the Land Register of Scotland with the exception of Advance Notices – these are a specific type of application which only have effect for a period of 35 days after the date they are entered onto the register.
- Different application types will take longer to complete (see below for further detail) – so an application that took more than two years to complete was not necessarily ‘delayed’ for that whole period.
Background to your request
We would like to reassure you that all applications are entered onto the register on the day they are received by RoS. Legal protections are in place from that point, so having an open case with us does not impact an owner’s ability to sell, re-mortgage or make changes to their land or property.
We have a process to fast-track applications for those rare cases when having an open case may cause the applicant a specific problem.
Visit our website for more information.
We understand how important it is for applications to be processed within timescales that meet customers’ expectations.
Achieving a sustainable reduction in both the age and volume of open cases is our priority. To deliver this we are focussed on building our capacity and capability by introducing the automation of simple applications and enhancing the skills of our colleagues to deal with more complex work.
Information about our strategy to manage casework can be read in our Corporate Plan 2022-2027 and annual Delivery Plan.
If our performance continues as we anticipate, by the end of our current Corporate Plan, open casework will be of an age and volume where we can deliver our objective of all applications being processed within 35 days or an agreed timeframe.
Why some cases take longer to process
Registrations vary in the amount of time they take to complete. This can happen for a variety of reasons – for example, when a property or piece of land:
- has not changed hands or been re-mortgaged in a long time
- may have previously been part of a larger plot, e.g., part of a new development.
If your property is not on the Land Register, we need to start a new entry for registration. This takes longer than if a digital record already existed. A registration like this normally needs one of our more experienced colleagues to do the work.
These types of registration must also be processed in order. This means that if there are people in the registration queue before you, we need to do them first.
Insight
RoS are committed to being customer-focussed and transparent. We publish our progress on a quarterly basis. You can read the strategic objectives and related Key Performance Indicators used to measure progress in our Corporate Plan.
Find out more
Read more about our FOI releases.
Contact
If you have a question or query about FOI requests, you can email the information governance team at: FOI.Requests@ros.gov.uk.