The Land Registry has issued some advice for homeowners on protecting their property from fraudsters, as this week (February 1st) it is scrapping the fee on registering a property for some people. Fraudsters are most likely to target houses that are empty, tenanted or mortgage-free, particularly if the owners are abroad, in residential care or otherwise absent, and may attempt to pose as the owners so they can sell the house.
Homeowners can avoid becoming a victim of this crime by registering their property – this way, if they are subject to fraud they will be compensated, and registration is now free if the owner does not live in the property. If they feel their home is at risk, they can enter a restriction that requires a solicitor or conveyancer to certify that anybody trying to sell the property is the genuine owner.
“We have introduced a range of additional safeguards in the last four years and we also work closely with other organisations to do all we can to tackle fraud and identify and take corrective action when it has happened. But home owners must also be vigilant and play their own part in protecting their properties against fraud,” said Malcolm Dawson, chief land registrar at the Land Registry.
