Letting Agents Sheffield

Protect Yourself From Fraud

Jan 18, 2021 | Tips for Landlords

Protect Yourself From Fraud - Horizon Lets

You can take steps to protect your property from being fraudulently sold or mortgaged.

You are more at risk if:

  1. your identity has been stolen
  2. you rent out your property
  3. you live overseas
  4. your property is empty
  5. your property is not mortgaged
  6. the property is not registered with HM Land Registry

Your property will be registered if you have bought it or mortgaged it since 1998 but make sure you check if you are not sure!!!

You must tell HM Land Registry if any of the information in the register is incorrect as well as informing them of any change of contact address or name. You can track changes to the register or put a restriction on your title if you think you’re at risk.

Track changes to the register

To ensure peace of mind for yourself, you can sign up to get alerts in the event that somebody other than you applies to make changes to the register of your property, for example if someone tries to use your property for a mortgage. This will not automatically block any changes being made but it will alert you when something changes so that you can act immediately.

You can get these alerts for up to 10 properties and there is no fee!!!

Put a restriction on your title

You can stop HM Land Registry registering a sale or mortgage on your property unless a conveyancer or solicitor proves that the application was made by you.

Note: Your conveyancer or solicitor may charge you for providing a certificate if one is required.

If you own a property through a business or living in the property you can fill in a request for a restriction. You simply need to send your application to the address on the form, AND, even better, this is a free service!

If you live at the property you will still need to fill in an application for a restriction but it will cost £40.

You will need to send any completed forms to the HM Land Registry Citizen Centre.

HM Land Registry
Citizen Centre
PO Box 74
Gloucester
GL14 9BB

HM Land Registry will tell you when they add the restriction.

If you’re a victim of property fraud

Contact the HM Land Registry property fraud team if you think you may have been the victim of property fraud.

HM Land Registry property fraud team

Opening Hours: Monday to Friday, 8am to midday and 1:30pm to 3:30pm
Email: reportafraud@landregistry.gov.uk
Telephone: 0300 006 7030

You can also get advice from Citizens Advice Bureau or ask an independent legal adviser to report it to Action Fraud.

 

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