Improving the Business Environment: the “1230” Special Initiative for Real Estate Registration in Guangzhou

　　Following the important instructions by President Xi Jinping for Guangzhou to intensify reforms to improve the business environment and forge a modern, internationalized business environment, deepen reforms to delegate power, improve regulation and upgrade services initiated by the State Council and further improve the business environment, serve the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, the Guangzhou Municipal Planning and Natural Resources Bureau has introducedthe “1230” special initiative for real estate registration to improve the business environment, on the basis of the 20 measures to promote more convenient real estate registration that benefits the people. Through this series of measures, Guangzhou will provide enterprises with high-quality and efficient real estate registration services, reduce real estate transaction costs, and allow enterprises to experience Guangzhou’s friendly business climate for themselves.

　　The “1230” special initiative aims to achieve:

　　“1 goal” – to forge a more convenient and efficient government services environment for real estate registration in Guangzhou in line with the best models nationwide;

　　“2 guarantees” – to guarantee that, before the end of March 2019, enterprises will be able to complete the registration for real estate transfers, changes and ordinary mortgages on the day of the application, and to guarantee that, by the end of June 2019, enterprises will be able to complete all other real estate registration transactions within 4 working days;

　　“3 reductions” – reducing the number of steps in real estate registration, reducing the number of documents required, and reducing the processing time;

　　“0 visit” – building the Guangzhou “e-Registration” model, where enterprises will be able to register real estate through online platforms without having to visit physical service counters.

　　What are the highlights of the “1230” special initiative for real estate registration?

　　Highlight 1: Special enterprise service counters to provide tailored services throughout the registration process

　　Real estate registration agencies will set up special service zones and counters in service halls to provide enterprises with expedited services throughout the registration process, covering pre-registration, registration, and post-registration.

　　First, we will provide advance guidance. We will take the initiative in connecting with relevant authorities to guide enterprises that require real estate registration services in submitting service requests to registration agencies. We will also appoint dedicated liaison personnel who will help enterprises evaluate if they have met all requisites for real estate registration and provide enterprises with professional advice.

　　Second, we will provide personalized service. We will establish an individual file for each enterprise, and formulate targeted real estate registration plans that meet the unique needs of different enterprises.

　　Third, we will accept applications with incomplete documents. Real estate registration agencies will process applications even if document submission is incomplete, provided that property rights are clearly established, all real estate registration records are factually valid, and that enterprises undertake in writing to submit the remaining documents within a specified time limit.

　　Fourth, we will extend services at service counters. We will provide document collection services for enterprises at their premises and certificate delivery services for batch applications.

　　Fifth, we will conduct service quality surveys. We will establish a system to collect feedback from enterprises on service quality. Real estate registration agencies will keep track of all services provided to enterprises, including pre-registration, registration, and post-registration services, through questionnaires, phone surveys and third-party evaluation, in order to ensure the quality of real estate registration services.

　　Highlight 2: Improving the “e-Registration” services and promoting the development of inclusive finance

　　The Guangzhou real estate “e-Registration” initiative and better “real estate registration + financial services + internet” scheme aim to make online real estate registration swift and convenient. These measures will reduce transaction costs for enterprises by integrating relevant processes, allowing documents to be submitted online and certificates to be delivered by post.

　　“e-Registration” services will not require hardcopy documents for registration verification, while banks participating in the pilot trial will rely on information contained in registration records to conduct pre-loan reviews. Hardcopy real estate registration certificates will no longer be required for loan issuance, making the financing process more convenient for enterprises. At present, “e-Registration” coverage has been extended to the service branches of 10 major banks, including state-owned banks, private sector banks and homegrown Guangzhou banks. Overall processing time for mortgage registration has been reduced by 70%, allowing small and medium enterprises to complete loan applications in as little as one day. With advancements in the special initiative to improve the business environment, “e-Registration” services will be extended to all banks by the end of June 2019.

　　Highlight 3: Launch of online and self-service transactions to comprehensively promote “no trips needed” transactions for enterprises

　　Relying on the “Guangzhou Real Estate Registration” WeChat official account, real estate registration service counters will be “migrated” online, gradually allowing enterprises and members of the public to remotely retrieve real estate registration information and carry out related transactions.

　　First, online services. We have introduced the WeChat Mini-Programs “Guangzhou real estate registration information enquiry” and “Enquiry of Registration Outcomes for Real Estate Registered under an Individual”. Enterprises and members of the public performing real estate registrations may remotely retrieve basic information on registered real estate in Guangzhou as well as registration outcomes for real estate registered in their name. We have also introduced the “e-SMART” smart registration guide, allowing information related to real estate registration and related procedures to be readily available. Lastly, we have introduced an online appointment platform and introduced appointment bookings by facial recognition.

　　Second, self-services. Enterprises and members of the public performing real estate registrations may now obtain queue numbers at physical service branches as well as through 24/7 service terminals at real estate registration agencies. In addition, applicants may now self-retrieve real estate registration certifications and real estate registration outcomes at self-service terminals.

　　Highlight 4: Exploring the “1+N” model for real estate registration and promoting “real estate registration + services for the people”

　　Real estate registration agencies, in collaboration with various government departments, have accelerated the realization of the “1+N” model for real estate registration. Registration agencies have launched integrated service counters that provide a complete package of services at one counter, reducing the need for enterprises and members of the public to make multiple trips.

　　First, real estate registration agencies have worked with water supply, power supply, gas supply and other departments to integrate relevant services. Enterprises and members of the public are now able to carry out utility transactions at the same time as real estate registrations. From March 15, 2019, integrated “real estate registration + services for the people” service counters were officially launched, allowing enterprises and members of the public to submit applications for electricity service when performing real estate registrations. Starting from April 1, real estate registration agencies will incorporate water and gas supply services into the scope of integrated services.

　　Second, real estate registration agencies, in collaboration with taxation, housing and construction departments and pilot banks, established “real estate registration + taxation + financial services” mechanisms, speeding up the in-depth sharing of information relating to taxes, registration of real estate transactions, and financial information. Members of the public perceive all transactions related to real estate to be part of the same matter. In line with this principle, real estate registration agencies have streamlined upstream and downstream procedures, comprehensively promoted the joint processing of related transactions, and widened the range of services provided at service counters.

　　In the next phase, Guangzhou will continue to explore innovation, further promote the "1230" special initiative, further reform real estate registration services, promote the multi-pronged sharing of related data, overhaul processes and procedures,greatly streamline the list of documents required for applications, shorten processing times, and promote the integration of all estate registration transactions in one network, thus reducing transaction costs for enterprises and members of the public, contributing to the optimization of the business environment and forging the “Guangzhou model” for real estate registration.