ENG-2016 — Page 249

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Planning, Land and Infrastructure

Land Registration

The Land Registry provides a comprehensive service for registering documents affecting land and keeping land records in electronic format for public search. More than three million land registers and 23 million documents can be retrieved electronically.

Land Registry Business Volume in 2016

Registration Services

(Distribution of Land Documents Lodged for Registration)

Nature

Agreements for sale and purchase of building units.

Agreements for sale and purchase of land

Assignments of building units.

Assignments of land

Building mortgages/building legal charges.

Other mortgages/legal charges

Others

Total

Search Services

(Distribution by Search Mode)

Number

73,004

2,588

77,374

5,211

56

81,923

187,876

428,032

Counter Searches

Number

425,031

Per cent

8%

Searches via Internet

Number

4,683,820

Per cent

92%

Hong Kong adopts a deeds registration system. To enhance certainty of title and simplify conveyancing procedures, the Land Titles Ordinance (Cap 585) has been enacted but it will not come into effect until a comprehensive review is completed and the necessary amending legislation is passed. During the year, the registry worked closely and exchanged views with stakeholders on revised proposals for rectification and indemnity provisions as well as options. for converting land to the title registration system. The two sides will continue discussions to draw up a package of proposed legislative amendments for public consultation.

Survey, Mapping and Geospatial Information Service

The Lands Department's Survey and Mapping Office provides survey and mapping services to support land administration and infrastructure development, and develops maps with different themes to meet the public's needs, such as conventional topographic maps, countryside maps and guide books. The office carries out land boundary surveys and provides photogrammetric and aerial survey services. It also maintains a geodetic survey network and the Satellite Positioning Reference Station Network System, which form the essential positioning infrastructure in Hong Kong, as well as the Land Information System, which enables more efficient survey and mapping activities. The office provides support to the Land Survey Authority to administer the Land Survey Ordinance, which governs the registration and conduct of authorised land surveyors and land boundary survey standards.

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