Development Projects and New Services

(i) E-Memorial Form for Lodgement

Since the launch in late November 2007, the usage rate of e-Memorial Forms has been rising trend. About one third of the lodgements in early 2009 used the new form. We are planning for release of an enhanced form in the second half of 2009. The enhanced version will capture the key data of the memorial through a 2-dimension barcode. By simply scanning the barcode, our computer system will automatically retrieve the data for scrutiny. This automation of the data retrieval process will improve the efficiency and accuracy of updating the land registers.


(ii) Standard Terms Document

We are preparing a new service for depositing standard terms documents in the Land Registry under the Land Registration Ordinance (Cap. 128). This should help to reduce the volume of documentation for mortgage arrangements. The necessary legislative amendments will be introduced by way of consequential amendments under the Land Titles (Amendment) Bill.


(iii) Inter-Departmental Projects

As a result of collaboration between the Rating and Valuation Department (RVD) and the Land Registry, the public can obtain property information from the Property Information Online (PIO) system at the RVD’s PIO website (www.rvdpi.gov.hk), which was launched on 11 February 2009. Users can obtain the information from the PIO in five different ways, one of which is the Land Registry’s property reference numbers. The website is hyperlinked to the Land Registry’s IRIS website to facilitate users in making land searches.

The Land Registry will continue to provide up-to-date property address records to the RVD to enrich the database. The concerted inter-departmental efforts will enhance the transparency of the property market.


(iv) Exploring Contracting-out Services

Faced with the workload involved in conversion from deeds to title registration, we have begun to explore outsourcing of non-core activities so as to make the best use of experienced staff in dealing with registration and conversion work. Business cases and key requirements for successful outsourcing of non-core services are being examined in order to determine whether there are significant advantages to be gained.