HM Land Registry has told conveyancers to 'get ready' for the first fee increase since 2009 in a blog that hints of potentially further changes ahead.

The agency announced last November that fees for registers and transfers of title would rise by up to 21% under changes to come into effect on 31 January.

In the latest blog, chief financial officer Iain Banfield said applications started before 31 January, but submitted on or after this date, will be subject to the new fees, as will applications submitted before 31 January but subsequently cancelled, rejected or resubmitted on or after the 31st.

Conveyancers are asked to 'get ready' by familiarising themselves with the new fees.

Banfield said: ‘The fee increase allows HM Land Registry to move forward with plans to deliver what customers need – more consistency and speed in service delivery – by investing in both operational capacity and accelerating the digitalisation and automation of services. With this in mind, we are exploring further changes to the fee order, including its structure and simplicity. We are currently engaging as widely as we can before we set out any proposals.’