Protecting your property from fraud

Property fraud can happen in many ways. For example, fraudsters may attempt to acquire ownership of a property by using forged documents, or by impersonating the registered owner. The fraudsters may then raise money by mortgaging the property without the owner’s knowledge before disappearing without making repayments, leaving the owner to deal with the consequences. When renting out your property there are certain recommended steps to be taken to protect your property from fraud.

1. Check your property is registered with HM Land Registry – your property should be registered if you bought it or mortgaged it since 1998. Search for land and property information for the Title Register at here – Search by postcode

2. Make sure your contact address for the property is up to date – If the contact address for the property is not correct update registered owners’ contact address at here – Update registered owners’ contact address

3. Track changes to the register by signing up to get property alerts if someone applies to change the register of your property, for example if someone tries to use your property for a mortgage. Sign up for the free Property Alert service to monitor up to 10 properties at here – Property Alert service

4. Put a restriction on your title to stop HM Land Registry registering a sale or mortgage on your property unless a conveyancer or solicitor certifies the application was made by you. Register a Form LL Restriction, known as the Land Registry Anti-Fraud Restriction at here – Request for a restriction by owner(s) not living at the property

Further Information
Protecting your property from fraud: Form LL – the ‘counter-fraud’ restriction