HM Land Registry issues guide for new contractual control regulations

HM Land Registry has published Practice Guide 84 to assist the property market in preparing for the Provision of Information (Contractual Control) (Registered Land) Regulations 2026. These regulations, which come into force on 6 April 2027, require certain agreements affecting registered land in England and Wales to be submitted digitally.

In scope agreements include option agreements, conditional contracts, and pre-emption rights. The new requirements aim to increase market transparency by clarifying who holds influence over land use and development, even in instances where ownership remains unchanged. Data regarding these contractual controls is expected to be available for public viewing starting in April 2028.

Under the new rules, the application for submission must be made by a regulated legal professional, such as an individually regulated solicitor, licensed conveyancer, or chartered legal executive. While colleagues may prepare the submission, the responsibility for the application rests with a qualified individual. The guide advises conveyancers to begin identifying affected transactions and collecting necessary data, such as grantor birth details and spatial data, to prevent delays or additional costs.