Have you registered your property with Land Registry?
Cases of property fraud in the UK are rising. To protect yourself we recommend registering ALL your properties with Land Registry and sign up for their free property alert service.
Property Fraud is essentially where a criminal tricks others into believing they are the true owner of a home and then when it is sold they take the money from the sale. The new owner may acquire the title to the property legitimately which leaves the original owner suffering significant loss.
How to protect your property
1) First check your property is registered with Land Registry: Click here and follow the instructions.
2) If your property is not registered, follow the information online to do this.
Make sure the contact information land registry hold for you is correct. If you do not live in the property, do they have the address where you live and not for the property address itself?
3) Sign up for the free Land Registry Property Alert Service – HM Land Registry - Property Alert
This is an easy process. Simply set up an account and add any property you would like to monitor. The alert service will send you an email when searches or applications are made against your property. You can monitor up to 10 properties. You could also monitor the properties of elderly family members on their behalf.
4) You can also place a restriction on the title deeds which will prevent HM Land Registry from registering a sale or new mortgage on the property without the certification of a conveyancer or solicitor. This service is free if you don’t live in the property, there is a fee payable if the property is your home.
If you suspect Fraud on your property, you should report it to the Land Registry Fraud line on 0300 006 7030, action fraud and your local police station.
Should you have any queries in relation to this or any other property related queries please do not hesitate to contact us at the office. We are here and ready to help in any way we can.