Landlords: Have you signed up property alerts with the Land Registry?

A recent news item on one of our industry portals highlighted the importance of landlords keeping their details up-to-date on the Land Registry UK website. Unfortunately, the landlord had been a victim of significant fraud.

The fraudsters managed to clone his ID and passport, and they then managed to access both of his bank accounts. It’s been an absolute nightmare for them.

As a property owner, one of your biggest concerns is likely to be protecting your land and property from fraud. In recent years, property fraud has become increasingly common, and it’s devastating for the victim.

Fortunately, you can take steps to protect yourself, including signing up for property alerts.

Property alerts are a free service offered by the Land Registry in the UK, and they allow you to receive email notifications whenever there is activity on your property’s register. This means that if someone tries to change the register of your property, for example, by applying for a mortgage, you will receive an alert.

Land Registry Image

How to sign-up to property alerts

To sign up for property alerts, you must create an account on the Land Registry’s website and provide some basic information about your property, such as its address and title number. Once you have signed up, you will receive alerts whenever there is activity on your property’s register.

Following this link – https://propertyalert.landregistry.gov.uk/ to register – will only take a few minutes, but it could prevent a total nightmare.

The benefits of property alerts are clear

They provide an early warning system that can help you to detect fraudulent activity before it is too late. For example, if someone tries to use your property for a mortgage without your knowledge or consent, you will be alerted to this fact, and you can take action to prevent the fraud from going any further.

If you receive a property alert, it is essential to act quickly. You should contact the Land Registry immediately to report the suspicious activity, and you should also contact your mortgage lender or solicitor if you have one.

They will be able to advise you on the next steps you should take to protect your property.

In addition to signing up for property alerts, there are other steps you can take to protect your property from fraud. For example, you should always be vigilant regarding unsolicited emails or phone calls. You should only give out personal information if you are sure the person you are dealing with is genuine. If you have previously lived at the property, ensure you have all your post re-directed by Royal Mail to your current address.

In conclusion, property fraud is a growing problem, but by signing up for property alerts, you can take an essential step towards protecting your land and property.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us and we’ll be able to assist you.

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