If you are dealing with unregistered land or investigating the ownership of a piece of land, you will almost certainly need to carry out a Search of the Index Map. This search tells you whether the land in question is already registered at HM Land Registry — and, if so, which titles affect it.
In this guide, we explain what a Search of the Index Map is, how it works, what the results mean, and how a professionally prepared Land Registry plan can help when the results reveal issues that need resolving. We draw on over 30 years of specialist experience to help you understand the process.
Why trust this guide? Towers Richardson has prepared Land Registry-compliant plans since 1994, regularly supporting solicitors and conveyancers with applications involving unregistered land and Index Map searches. We maintain a 100% HM Land Registry acceptance rate on every plan we produce.
What Is a Search of the Index Map?
A Search of the Index Map is an official search carried out by HM Land Registry against their Index Map — the master map that shows the extent of every registered title in England and Wales. The search reveals whether a specific piece of land falls within, or is affected by, any existing registered title.
The formal name for the result is the Official Certificate of the Result of Search of the Index Map. Solicitors and conveyancers commonly refer to it as a SIM search or an Index Map search.
Why Does the Index Map Exist?
HM Land Registry maintains the Index Map as a visual record of all registered titles. Every registered property in England and Wales has a boundary shown on this map, linked to its title number. When you apply for a Search of the Index Map, HMLR checks the land you have identified against this map and tells you what it finds.
This is particularly important for unregistered land. Not all land in England and Wales is registered — some parcels, particularly in rural areas or where land has not changed hands since compulsory registration was introduced, remain unregistered. A Search of the Index Map helps establish the registration status of any piece of land.
When Do You Need a Search of the Index Map?
A Search of the Index Map is typically carried out in the following situations:
- First registration of unregistered land — before applying to register land for the first time, you need to confirm whether any part of it is already registered under an existing title
- Buying or selling unregistered land — to verify the registration status of the land and identify any titles that may affect it
- Investigating ownership — when the ownership of a piece of land is unclear, a Search of the Index Map reveals which registered titles, if any, cover the area
- Resolving boundary disputes — the search can show whether neighbouring titles overlap with the land in question
- Identifying cautions and other entries — the search reveals cautions against first registration, pending applications, and other entries that affect the land
- Development projects on unregistered land — developers need to confirm the registration status of every parcel before proceeding with site assembly
Your solicitor or conveyancer will advise whether a Search of the Index Map is needed for your specific transaction. In most cases involving unregistered land, it is a standard part of the due diligence process.
How to Apply for a Search of the Index Map
You apply for a Search of the Index Map by submitting Form SIM to HM Land Registry. The form requires you to identify the land you want searched — and this is where the quality of your plan becomes critical.
What You Need to Submit
Form SIM asks for a description of the land and, importantly, a plan showing the land in question. The plan must show the land clearly against sufficient surrounding detail — roads, buildings and other features — for HMLR to locate it accurately on the Index Map. Without a clear plan, HMLR may not be able to carry out the search or may return incomplete results.
How to Submit
You can submit a Search of the Index Map through the HM Land Registry portal (for account holders), by post using the paper Form SIM, or through the Business Gateway used by many conveyancing firms. The current fee for a Search of the Index Map is set by HMLR and is payable at the time of application.
Turnaround Times
Electronic applications through the portal or Business Gateway are typically processed within a few hours to a few working days. Postal applications take longer. The turnaround depends on HMLR’s current workload and the complexity of the search area.
Important: The quality of the plan you submit with Form SIM directly affects the quality of the results you receive. If your plan is vague, hand-drawn, or does not include enough surrounding detail, HMLR may struggle to identify the correct area — leading to incomplete or misleading results.
What Do the Results Show?
When HMLR completes your Search of the Index Map, they return an Official Certificate that tells you whether the land you identified is affected by any registered titles. The results will typically show one or more of the following:
- Registered title(s) affecting the land — the certificate will list the title number(s) of any registered properties that cover or touch the search area
- Cautions against first registration — these are entries made by someone claiming an interest in unregistered land, warning that they want to be notified if anyone applies to register it
- Pending applications — if someone has already submitted an application affecting the search area, this will be flagged
- No registered titles found — confirming that the land appears to be unregistered, which is the expected result when preparing for a first registration
The certificate is a snapshot in time. It tells you the position at the date and time of the search. If you are relying on the results for a transaction, your solicitor will advise on how long the results remain valid and whether a fresh search is needed before completion.
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Get a Free QuoteCommon Issues Revealed by Index Map Searches
While a Search of the Index Map is a straightforward process, the results can sometimes reveal issues that need careful attention. After 30 years of supporting solicitors with these applications, we regularly see the following problems arise:
- Boundary overlaps with existing titles — the search reveals that part of the land you thought was unregistered actually falls within a neighbouring registered title, creating an overlap that must be resolved before any application can proceed
- Gaps between registered titles — narrow strips of unregistered land between two registered titles, often caused by historical mapping inaccuracies
- Unexpected cautions against first registration — a third party has lodged a caution claiming an interest in the land, which must be addressed before registration
- Unrecorded rights of way or easements — while the Index Map search itself does not reveal these directly, the title registers it identifies may contain entries for rights that affect the search land
- Plans that do not match the current state of the land — the boundaries shown on existing title plans may reflect an earlier layout that no longer matches what is on the ground
- Multiple titles affecting the same area — in complex situations, several registered titles may partially overlap with the search area, requiring careful analysis to untangle
Each of these issues requires accurate plans to resolve. Whether you are correcting a boundary, applying for first registration of a gap site, or dealing with a caution, the plan you submit to HMLR must be clear, compliant and precise.
How Land Registry Plans Help Resolve Index Map Issues
When a Search of the Index Map reveals a problem, the next step almost always involves preparing a compliant Land Registry plan. Here is how professional plans help in the most common scenarios.
First Registration of Unregistered Land
If your Search of the Index Map confirms that the land is unregistered, you can proceed with a first registration application. This requires a title plan that meets all of HMLR’s requirements under Practice Guide 40 — based on current Ordnance Survey data, drawn to a stated metric scale, with a north point, clear boundary edging and sufficient surrounding detail.
Resolving Boundary Overlaps
When the search reveals that the land overlaps with an existing registered title, an accurate plan is essential for identifying exactly where the overlap occurs. This allows solicitors to engage with the neighbouring title holder and HMLR to resolve the discrepancy. The plan must show both the search land and the boundaries of the affected registered title clearly.
Registering Gap Sites
Strips of unregistered land between registered titles — known as gap sites — are a common finding from Index Map searches. Registering these gaps requires a precise plan that shows the exact extent of the unregistered strip in relation to the surrounding registered boundaries.
Supporting Caution Proceedings
If a caution against first registration has been lodged, any application to proceed with registration (or to cancel the caution) will need to be supported by a clear plan showing the land affected. The plan helps HMLR and all parties understand exactly which area is in dispute.
Providing the Plan for the SIM Application Itself
The quality of the plan you submit with your Form SIM directly affects the usefulness of the results. A professionally prepared plan based on OS data ensures that HMLR can accurately identify the search area, giving you reliable results to work from.
Plan Requirements for Index Map Applications
Whether you are submitting a plan with your Form SIM or preparing a plan for a subsequent application based on the search results, the plan must meet HMLR’s standards. The key requirements are:
- Based on the Ordnance Survey map — showing sufficient OS detail for HMLR to locate the land accurately
- Drawn to a stated metric scale — typically 1:1250 for urban areas or 1:2500 for rural land, with a scale bar
- A north point — confirming the orientation of the plan
- Clear boundary identification — the search area must be clearly outlined, typically edged in red
- Sufficient surrounding detail — roads, buildings and neighbouring features must be visible to provide context
- No prohibited phrases — wording such as “not to scale” or “for identification purposes only” must not appear
- Date of preparation — confirming when the plan was produced
For first registration applications that follow a Search of the Index Map, the title plan must also comply with any additional requirements specific to the type of registration. Your solicitor will advise on the exact documentation needed.
How Much Does It Cost?
There are two costs to consider: the HMLR fee for the Search of the Index Map itself, and the cost of the professional plan.
HMLR Search Fee
HM Land Registry charges a fee for processing a Search of the Index Map. The current fee is published on the GOV.UK website and varies depending on whether you apply electronically or by post.
Plan Preparation Cost
At Towers Richardson, plans for Index Map search applications start from £115. The final cost depends on the complexity of the site and whether additional plans are needed for subsequent applications such as first registration. We provide fixed-price quotes with no hidden fees — contact us for a personalised quote.
Turnaround Time
We typically deliver completed plans within 24 to 48 hours. Urgent same-day turnarounds are available when you need them. For solicitors managing time-sensitive transactions, our fast turnaround helps keep things on track.
How Towers Richardson Can Help
At Towers Richardson, we regularly prepare plans for solicitors and conveyancers dealing with Search of the Index Map applications and the issues that arise from them. Whether you need a plan to accompany your Form SIM, a title plan for a first registration, or a boundary plan to resolve an overlap, we have the experience and expertise to deliver.
Here is what we offer:
- 100% HMLR acceptance rate — every plan is checked against Practice Guide 40 before delivery
- Licensed Ordnance Survey data — we work directly with current OS MasterMap data in our CAD systems
- 30+ years of specialist experience — we have supported solicitors with Index Map applications since 1994
- Fast turnaround — most plans delivered within 24 to 48 hours, with same-day options available
- Nationwide coverage — we serve clients across England and Wales from our base in South Yorkshire
- Fixed-price quotes — no hidden fees, with costs confirmed before any work starts
30+ Years. 100% Acceptance Rate.
Trusted by solicitors, developers and property professionals across England and Wales since 1994.
Request Your Free QuoteFrequently Asked Questions
What is a Search of the Index Map?
A Search of the Index Map is an official search carried out by HM Land Registry that reveals whether a specific piece of land is affected by any registered titles. It is applied for using Form SIM and returns an Official Certificate showing the registration status of the land.
When do I need a Search of the Index Map?
You typically need one when dealing with unregistered land — for example, before applying for first registration, when investigating ownership of a parcel, or when checking whether neighbouring titles affect the land in question.
What form do I use for a Search of the Index Map?
You use Form SIM, which is submitted to HM Land Registry along with a plan showing the area of land you want searched. The form can be submitted electronically through the HMLR portal or by post.
Do I need a professional plan for a Search of the Index Map?
While it is possible to submit your own plan with Form SIM, using a professionally prepared plan based on current Ordnance Survey data ensures that HMLR can accurately identify the search area. A vague or inaccurate plan can lead to incomplete or misleading results.
How long does a Search of the Index Map take?
Electronic applications are typically processed within a few hours to a few working days. Postal applications take longer. The turnaround depends on HMLR’s current workload.
What does a Search of the Index Map cost?
HM Land Registry charges a fee for the search, which varies depending on the submission method. A professional plan to accompany the application starts from £115. Contact us for a personalised quote.
What happens if the search reveals a problem?
Common issues include boundary overlaps with existing titles, unexpected cautions against first registration, and gaps between registered titles. Each of these requires an accurate, HMLR-compliant plan to resolve. We regularly help solicitors prepare plans for exactly these situations.
What is a caution against first registration?
A caution against first registration is an entry made by someone claiming an interest in unregistered land. It alerts them if anyone applies to register the land for the first time, giving the cautioner the opportunity to object to the application.
Need Help With a Search of the Index Map?
Towers Richardson has been preparing Land Registry-compliant plans since 1994. Whether you need a plan to accompany your Form SIM application, a title plan for a first registration, or a boundary plan to resolve an issue identified by an Index Map search, we can help you get it right first time.
Every plan is prepared using licensed Ordnance Survey data, professional CAD software, and checked against Practice Guide 40 requirements before delivery. We work with solicitors, conveyancers and property professionals across England and Wales.
Get in touch today:
📧 info@towers-richardson.co.uk
📞 01226 885040
💬 WhatsApp: 07543 434048
Or request a free quote online — we respond within 1 hour during business hours.


