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Update on NSW LRS operations at 25 May 2020, 3:50pm AEST.

As previously published on the 5 May 2020, NSW LRS has new lodgment processes to enable close to 100% electronic lodgement.

 The COVID-19 Residual Lodgment channel allows the electronic lodgment of ‘residual’ documents. Phase 2 of the documents available to be lodged through this channel are now available. This includes:

• Memorandums
• Resumption of Non-RPA/Primary Application
• Old System Deed
• Power of Attorney
• Miscellaneous documents

 For more information on Phase 2 of the COVID-19 Residual Lodgment channel please click here.

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Update on NSW LRS operations at 5 May 2020, 5:30pm AEST.

New Lodgment Processes enable close to 100% electronic lodgement

From 11 May 2020 NSW LRS will implement the following new lodgment processes to enable close to 100% electronic lodgment and submission of documents:

1. COVID-19 Residual Lodgment – electronic lodgment of ‘residual’ documents
2. COVID-19 Requisition Secure Upload Portal – electronic submission of documents in response to requisitions
3. Virtual Lodgment Office - upload facility for all correspondence documents currently furnished at the NSW LRS Lodgment Office

Further information can be found here.

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Update on NSW LRS operations at 30 April 2020, 7:20pm AEST.

Executing and witnessing documents

Further to our announcement on 28 April 2020, the Registrar General has now issued a Guidance Note for plan and associated plan documents that can be found here.
To assist with the lodgment of plans and associated documents during this period, our interactive Administration Sheet, Section 88B instrument and plan lodgment checklist have all been updated to support electronic signing (available here). These documents include embedded user guides and execution templates. 
For any enquiries regarding the functionality in these new forms please contact us on +61 2 8776 3575 or 1300 396 076 or DigitalPlans@nswlrs.com.au.
Given the large number of dealing documents we do not propose to update dealings forms with the same functionality at this time, however we will accept electronic signatures on these forms in accordance with the Guidance Note issued by the Office of the Registrar General.

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Update on NSW LRS operations at 28 April 2020, 5:35pm AEST.

NSW Land Registry Services (NSW LRS) has a comprehensive Business Continuity Plan in place to allow us to service our customers with minimum interruption during the COVID-19 restrictions. Our Queens Square Lodgment Office remains open where we continue to operate a ‘drop and go’ document service.

Executing and witnessing documents

Restrictions imposed in response to COVID-19 have made it difficult to prepare, sign and witness paper land instruments. Regulatory changes have been announced to assist our customers during this challenging time. The Registrar General has published a Guidance Note for land dealings which can be accessed here.
We understand that the Registrar General will shortly be releasing a Guidance Note for plan and associated plan documents. To assist with the lodgement of plans and associated documents during this period, our interactive Administration Sheet, Section 88B instrument and plan lodgment checklist will be updated to support electronic signing. Further details will follow shortly.
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Published 23 March 2020, 5:45pm AEST. 

NSW Land Registry Services (NSW LRS) remains open for business. These arrangements will continue to be assessed in line with Federal and State Government advice.

Our Queen Square Lodgment Office remains open to customers, Monday to Friday from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm (excluding public holidays). Customers can continue to transact electronically on the land titles register through an Electronic Lodgment Network Operator (ELNO) and to submit plan lodgments and re-lodgments through the ePlan lodgment portal.

From today, our operations have changed to give effect to the increased social distancing requirements put in place by the Government.

Queens Square Lodgment Office changes

NSW LRS asks customers and lodging parties to continue to observe good personal hygiene and social distancing practices when visiting the Queens Square Lodgment Office. Customers are asked not to visit us if they feel unwell or if they have been overseas within the preceding two weeks.

We thank all customers and lodging parties for their cooperation with the below changes.

‘Drop and go’ in-person lodgments only

NSW LRS now asks all customers to use the ‘drop and go’ document service at the Queens Square Lodgment Office. Customers and lodging parties must leave their documents with our Concierge. This includes new plans and dealings, re-lodgments, evidence documents and the production of titles.

The ‘drop and go’ lodgment process is as follows:

• Before visiting, customers complete the relevant document and/or production receipt for their documents and ensure their email address is provided.

• Customers deliver documents to the Concierge at Queens Square for ‘drop and go’ service.

• Once reviewed by NSW LRS, customers receive a distinctive reference number for their lodgment by email, within the timeframe on the NSW LRS website for bulk dealings.

• Customers receive an invoice by email for the applicable regulated fees for payment if a cheque is not included with the documents.

NSW LRS urges all customers and lodging parties to attend Queens Square efficiently and not to dwell in the office once your documents have been dropped off.

New process for ‘uplifts’

Customers and lodging parties often visit Queens Square to ‘uplift’ a document that has already been lodged, to correct an issue, address a requisition or supply additional information.

To limit time spent at Queens Square, NSW LRS asks customers wishing to uplift a document to email us at client.services.enquiries@nswlrs.com.au before they visit the Lodgment Office so that we can prepare the documents for uplift.

Document Collection Boxes remain open

Document Collection Boxes remain accessible to our customers and lodging parties, as our Queens Square Lodgment Office remains open. We ask all customers and lodging parties not to dwell in the office after accessing your Document Collection Box.

Online payments preferred for all customers

NSW LRS recommends that customers and lodging parties pay any outstanding invoices online in accordance with the payment directions on the invoice.

Online payments are preferred, however the Cashier remains open at Queens Square. NSW LRS asks customers to use a credit card or cheque for the payment of regulated fees to reduce physical contact during your visit. Cash payments will no longer be accepted.

Registered Post or DX delivery of original pre-2004 CTs permitted

Under the Registrar General’s Guidelines, original Certificates of Title (CTs) dated prior to 2004 must be physically delivered to NSW LRS before a transaction on that title can occur.

Due to current social distancing requirements and remote work policies, customers and lodging parties can provide original Certificates of Title to NSW LRS by registered post or document exchange delivery:

• Registered Post to GPO Box 15, Sydney NSW 2001

• Document exchange delivery to DX 17 Sydney

• Marked Attention: Productions, Queens Square Lodgment Office.

We ask that customers ensure that the accompanying form is completed correctly and includes the lodging party’s contact details. Lodging parties will receive a production receipt number when the document is received by NSW LRS.

Customers and lodging parties can continue to lodge original pre-2004 Certificates of Title in person at Queens Square.
 

Guidance for eConveyancing and Verification of Identity

ARNECC has provided guidance on conducting verification of identify checks for eConveyancing during this time. For more information, visit the Office of the Registrar General’s website: www.registrargeneral.nsw.gov.au/news/covid-19-guidance-for-econveyancing.
 

Actions we are taking to prepare for the future

NSW LRS has comprehensive business continuity plans and have tested these over the past weeks. We have also reduced documents on hand to minimise the impact of potential future disruptions for our customers.

We will continue to follow Federal and State Government advice and to work closely with the Office of the Registrar General to minimise disruptions during this period.
 

Updates

NSW Land Registry Services thanks our customers, lodging parties, and stakeholders for their cooperation and input as we continue to respond to COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) disruptions.

NSW LRS will continue to keep customers informed during this time and will continue to publish information on this webpage as new information becomes available.
 

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Published 16 March 2020, 4:57pm AEST. 

NSW Land Registry Services (NSW LRS) has put in place measures to assist customers and lodging parties unable to attend our Queens Square Lodgment Office due to COVID-19 (novel coronavirus) disruptions. Some organisations have introduced remote work and policies to avoid non-essential in-person contact. These policies are affecting some customers’ ability to lodge dealings and plans or transact with NSW LRS in person.

NSW LRS remains open for business. Our Queen Square Lodgment Office remains open to customers, Monday to Friday from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm (excluding public holidays). As Federal and State Government advice develops, we will assess our opening hours.

Customers can continue to transact electronically on the land titles register through an Electronic Lodgment Network Operator (ELNO) and to submit plan lodgments and re-lodgments through the ePlan lodgment portal.

Streamlining visits to Queens Square

Customers may wish to drop off their documents with our Concierge to reduce the time spent visiting us. Our Queens Square team can assist customers during their visit should they wish to use this service and will liaise with you to confirm lodgment after your visit.

Documents left with the Concierge will be treated in the same way as if they were lodged under the existing drop and go service. Customers will receive a distinctive reference number for lodgment within the timeframe on the NSW LRS website for bulk dealings.

Electronic Dealings

The NSW Government has mandated the use of eConveyancing for mainstream dealings. We continue to be able to process all documents lodged with us through either PEXA (www.pexa.com.au) or Sympli (www.sympli.com.au).

On Friday 13 Mach 2020, PEXA advised the industry that, as a precaution, it had invoked its Business Continuity Plan, confirming it has the ability to continue processing land transactions on behalf of its members, even in the instance its teams are required to work remotely for extended periods. For PEXA’s full announcement, click here.

Sympli has advised that they have communicated directly with clients, partners and staff to update them on its Business Continuity Plan. As of Friday 13 March, Sympli has conducted trials of remote working across its business operations and does not expect any major disruption to business services should this be required. Sympli is confident that it can maintain a high level of customer service and can continue to operate in its soft-launch capacity while working remotely.

Paper Dealings not able to be lodged electronically

For dealings that cannot be lodged electronically through an ELNO, customers who unable to lodge a paper dealing due to a remote work or ‘reduced contact’ policy should consider other ways of protecting the priority of that dealing.

NSW LRS recommends that customers electronically lodge a caveat or priority notice through an ELNO to record their interest on the register until they can lodge the paper dealing in person at the Queens Square Lodgment Office.

Plans that cannot be lodged in person

Where customers and lodging parties are unable to visit Queens Square to lodge a paper plan due to a remote work or ‘reduced contact’ policy, we ask that they lodge the plan electronically using ePlan accessed via the NSW LRS Online Portal. ePlan access is available to surveyors, their representatives, and government agencies.

Customers are advised to contact their surveyor to complete electronic plan lodgments with NSW LRS through ePlan.

Over-the-counter searches

Customers intending to conduct an over-the-counter search but who are unable to visit Queens Square can arrange a search through an authorised Information Broker.

Customers visits to NSW LRS

The health and wellbeing of our employees, customers and visitors is our number one priority.

NSW LRS is taking steps to ensure that our premises are healthy and safe environments. We have:

• Provided additional hand sanitiser for customers, visitors and employees.

• Reinforced our policy that employees who are unwell or who have recently travelled overseas do not come to work.

• Increased the frequency of cleaning at our Queens Square Lodgement Office.

• Advised customers not to visit if they may have been exposed to COVID-19 in the 14 days prior to their visit.

We urge customers not attend Queens Square if they feel unwell or if they have been overseas within the preceding two weeks.

Preparing for the future

NSW LRS is preparing our operations to ensure we can continue to serve our customers and operate the land titles register should the COVID-19 situation change.

NSW LRS welcomes questions or suggestions from customers and lodging parties to ensure we can continue to support your business as we respond to this ongoing situation.

Customer enquiries

+61 2 8776 3575 or 1300 396 076

generalenquiries@nswlrs.com.au

www.nswlrs.com.au/contact-us