Dear Editor,

I write to draw attention to a pressing issue that has been causing immense frustration for customers of National Land Agency (Titles Office), regarding the inordinate delays in the processing of land registration applications.

Having personally experienced this inefficiency I feel compelled to voice my concerns on behalf of many others who find themselves in a similar situation.

I submitted an application for land registration in June 2024. Nine months later it remains unapproved.

Each time I have followed up on the status of my application I am informed that it has been approved and is merely awaiting the approval of the plan. This ongoing delay is not only perplexing but also unacceptable, especially considering that the NLA is an executive body which is expected to provide a higher standard of service and efficiency.

It is interesting to note that this procedure usually takes 3 months to complete, but now applicants are being told that a shortage of surveyors is the reason for the inordinate delays.

To compound matters, communication with the office has proven to be exceedingly frustrating. The registrar of titles does not respond to letters, leaving applicants in the dark about the status of their applications. Furthermore, there is often no one available to provide clear answers to customer inquiries, which only exacerbates the sense of helplessness and confusion among applicants.

The lack of effective communication and the prolonged delays in processing applications undermine public confidence in the NLA. It is imperative that the NLA not only acknowledges these issues but takes immediate steps to rectify them. Streamlining processes, improving communication, and ensuring that staff are available to assist customers are essential measures that should be prioritised.

I urge the CEO of the NLA to take these concerns seriously and work towards a more efficient and responsive system. The citizens of this country deserve better service, especially from an agency that plays such a crucial role in landownership and development.

Frustrated Citizen

St Andrew