Annual review 2006/7 Commercial services

Commercial services

Land Registry has a unique set of skills and data that an ever-widening range of customers is willing to pay for. The Commercial Services Team was set up to answer those business needs.

The growing team is based in Birkenhead, Coventry and London and at the end of March 2007 numbered 32. The sales they are generating increased from £0.6 million in the 12 months to March 2006 to £1.8 million in the same period to March 2007.

The three main areas of commercial business are:

• data services (including property price information)
• consultancy and advice services
• developing property-related registers on behalf of other organisations.

Among the new services is Property Watch, under which Land Registry charges to monitor the ownership of particular properties or a portfolio of properties. It appeals to developers planning major construction projects, local authorities, mortgage companies, estate agents and others.

Developing commercial services brings a number of benefits to both our customers and ourselves. The benefits to Land Registry include the ability for us to use the profits to fund future investment needs and improve service quality, as well as developing new skills in our staff. In respect of our customers, Land Registry is using its skills and resources to benefit the wider community.