Protect your property from fraud using free HM Land Registry alert service

[MAB]

Luton man left shocked as his house is ‘stolen’ :-

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-essex-59069662

Property fraud is where fraudsters try to “steal” a property, most commonly by stealing the homeowner’s identity and selling or mortgaging the property without their knowledge. They then disappear with the money leaving the true owner to deal with the consequences.

The Property Alert service below helps people to detect fraudulent activity on their property by sending them email alerts when there is certain activity on the property being monitored, such as a mortgage being taken out against it. The recipient can then decide whether they think the activity is suspicious and act quickly if so. The alert email tells them who to contact should they be concerned.

 

HM Land Registry Property Alert is a free property monitoring service for anyone who feels a registered property could be at risk from fraud:-

You can sign up to get email alerts when certain activity occurs on your monitored properties, so you can take action if needed.

• The property you want to monitor must be situated in England or Wales and registered with HM Land Registry
• You must create a Property Alert account to use the service
• You will receive a HM Land Registry email (please check spam inbox) to enable you to verify your email details
• You must then sign in to your account to add a property
• Email alerts are sent when official searches and applications are received against a monitored property
• If you receive an alert about activity that seems suspicious you should take swift action. The alert email will signpost you to who to contact.
• You don't have to own a property to set up an alert
• The same property can be monitored by different people.
• Property, especially flats/apartments, can be registered with two titles. Blocks of flats are often owned by companies (Freehold), and the person owning the individual flat (Leasehold). When registering for this service please choose Leasehold title for individual flats/apartments.

https://propertyalert.landregistry.gov.uk/

 

Advice on registering your property or properties against possible fraud was highlighted this week on the ITV Martin Lewis Money Show:-

https://www.itv.com/hub/the-martin-lewis-money-show-live/2a1827a0127