Your property is probably your most valuable asset and it is very important to protect yourself against the risk of property fraud. Solicitor Celia Perry explains how you can protect yourself.
Property solicitor Celia Perry
What sort of property is at risk of property fraud?
Property that is:-
unoccupied
rented out
or is mortgage free
These are all the types of property that are at particular risk of being targeting by fraudsters
What is property fraud?
Property fraud occurs when fraudsters try to sell or create a mortgage over a property without the knowledge of the lawful owner. The fraudster will then pocket the proceeds and disappear.
What can be done to protect property?
Use the Land Registry Property Alert service. This is free to use and simple to access and once set up, you will be notified by Land Registry if certain activity happens on the title to the property.
You can monitor up to 10 titles and you don’t have to own a property in order to set up a Property Alert on it. Because of this some people like to set up a Property Alert on a property owned by an elderly relative. The property owner will not know you have set up a Property Alert unless you choose to tell them.
How you sign up for Property Alert?
Go onto the Land Registry Property Alert webpage using this link and follow the instructions to create an account.
Once you have created an account you must make sure that your contact details are kept up to date, so if you move or change email addresses, It is essential that you let Land Registry know.
What will happen once you have set up a Property Alert?
Land Registry will contact you by email each time there is certain activity on the title for the property you are monitoring. The alert will tell you the type of activity that has occurred, who has made the application and the date and time Land Registry received the application. It is vital that you react quickly to any email you receive from Land Registry telling you about activity on the title.
If you are no longer interested in a property, you can ask Land Registry to cancel the alert for that property.
What should you do if you think are a victim of property fraud?
Contact the Property Alert team at Land Registry:
by email propertyalert@landregistry.gov.uk
or call 0300 006 0478 from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday
If you have any queries or would like further information or our assistance in setting up a Property Alert please contact us on 01372 383273 or email hello@juliewestsolicitors.co.uk and we will be happy to assist.
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