Posted on March 25, 2020 by Frances Tse and Stuart Simington
NSW Land Registry Services arrangements during COVID-19 disruptions
The NSW Land Registry Services (NSW LRS) has published information on changes to its operations to address disruptions arising from COVID-19. This information is being updated regularly and anyone who proposes to lodge dealings, plans or other instruments should check the NSW LRS’ website for the most updated arrangements.
The information in this article is based on the NSW LRS’ published information as at 5.45pm on 23 March 2020.
General arrangements
The NSW LRS remains open for business.
Similar to many other customer-facing businesses, the NSW LRS asks that any customers attending the Queens Square Lodgment Office to continue to observe good personal hygiene and social distancing practices. Any customers who feel unwell or have been overseas within the preceding two weeks are asked not to visit. Customers who attend are asked to do so efficiently and not to dwell in the office.
Electronic Transactions
Transactions on the land titles register can continue to occur electronically through an Electronic Lodgment Network Operator (ELNO).
Plans can continue to be lodged and re-lodged through the ePlan lodgment portal.
In-person attendance at Queens Square Lodgment Office
The following changes have been introduced for persons attending the Queens Square Lodgment Office:
- all customers attending (including for lodging new plans and dealings, re-lodgments, evidence documents and the production of titles) are asked to use the ‘drop and go’ document service (see further below for more details),
- all customers needing to uplift a lodged document are asked to email before they visit (client.services.enquiries@nswlrs.com.au) so the documents can be prepared for uplift,
- cash payments will no longer be accepted,
- online payments are preferred and these should be made in accordance with the directions on the invoices,
- if payments are made in-person at the cashier, these will need to be made by cheque or credit card,
- where original pre-2004 Certificates of Title must be produced for a transaction, in addition to producing these in-person they can also be provided by registered post or document exchange delivery marked to the attention of ‘Productions, Queens Square Lodgment Office’. Any accompanying forms should be completed correctly and include the lodging party’s contact details. Lodging parties will receive a production receipt number when the document is received by NSW LRS.
‘Drop and go’ service
This service works as follows:
- before visiting, all customers are asked to complete the relevant documents, forms and/or production receipt for their documents and ensure their email address is provided,
- documents are to be left with the Concierge at Queens Square,
- a distinctive lodgment reference number will be emailed to the customer once the documents are reviewed by NSW LRS,
- invoices for payment of the relevant fees will be emailed to customers if a cheque was not included with the lodged documents.
Further information and updates can be found at the NSW LRS website here.
If you wish to discuss this post please contact Frances Tse on 8235 9711 .
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