Avoidable requisitions are falling: let’s keep it up

Summary

• Avoidable requisition rates have reduced by 7% in the past six months.
• We're seeing reductions across almost all types of avoidable requisition (including fewer issues linked to name variations).
• Support is available via our Training Hub, including free workshops.

As part of our ongoing work to support applications that are right first time and reduce delays, we're sharing the latest picture on avoidable requisitions – and it's good news: overall, we see continued progress on the reduction of avoidable requisitions, with a 7% improvement in the past six months.

Avoidable requisitions are errors and omissions in an application that are readily avoided through care and attention. They range from name discrepancies and incomplete identity evidence to poorly scanned plans and missing documents, pages or information in forms. These errors are estimated to cost the industry anything between £3.2 million and £19.1 million every year.

What the latest data shows

The reduction reflects continued progress across the sector and shows what’s possible when common issues are tackled consistently.

We're seeing reductions across almost types of avoidable requisition. Name variations (for example, initials, middle names or spelling) still matter, but they're no longer the leading reason. Missing documents (excluding consents and compliance certificates) are now most likely to trigger a requisition.

What this means (and what to do next)

At the end of last year, we published a new Avoidable Requisitions dataset. We also emailed customers a summary of their own figures, with links to training and guidance to help reduce the issues that most often lead to delays. Many firms are already using these insights to track performance and focus improvement activity over time.

These are hugely positive steps. And by keeping an eye on the data and tackling the most common causes, firms can continue to reduce avoidable requisitions over time.

Our training team is expanding the resources available in the online Training Hub and delivering workshops focused on helping firms reduce repeat requisitions and avoid delays. In parallel, we're improving our internal processes to make requirements clearer and more consistent.

Next dataset coming shortly – what’s changed

We are now sending customers updated emails ahead of publishing the next dataset in June.

When comparing any firm’s performance across time periods, it is important to remember that changes in application volumes can affect the number of requisition points raised. The way requisitions are created and processed has also evolved over time.

But once application volumes and changing categories are taken into account, it's clear that avoidable requisitions are down by 7%.

We focus on percentages to help track trends, which should help firms spot what is driving their requisitions and concentrate improvement activity where it will make the biggest difference.

Help and support

The Training Hub is available 24/7 and includes practical tools to help you reduce common avoidable issues, including a flowchart for name variations and checklists to help ensure all required documents are included with the application.

You can also book onto one of our free workshops (ideal for teams looking to reduce repeat reasons for requisitions):

• Tuesday 12 May HM Land Registry Avoiding Requisitions in New Build Applications
• Tuesday 19 May Application Support Workshop
• Thursday 4 June HM Land Registry Avoiding Requisitions in New Build Applications
• Tuesday 9 June Application Support Workshop
• Thursday 18 June Application Support Workshop
• Thursday 23 July Application Support Workshop

Thank you for the work you've already done to reduce avoidable requisitions. To help keep this progress going, please share this update with your teams, review your most common requisition reasons and use the Training Hub checklists and name variation flowchart on your next applications.

If you can, book onto a workshop and tell us what would make the guidance clearer or easier to apply in practice.