Land Registry acts against property fraud

The Land Registry is alerting property owners to the dangers of fraud.

Land and buildings are attractive targets to sophisticated fraudsters who have been known to sell or mortgage them, despite not having ownership.

Two new guides have been published by the Land Registry, giving advice to members of the public.

Public Guide 17, entitled “How to Safeguard Against Property Fraud” explains the steps that can be taken to help prevent fraud or forgery.

For example if a property isn’t registered the owner should consider applying for voluntary first registration (which offers a 25% discount in cost). It is also important for property owners keep their names and address up to date on Land Registry data.

Public Guide 20 focuses on identity checks and provides guidance on when evidence of identity must be lodged in support of an application for registration.

Cases of property fraud usually occur when a solicitor or conveyancer is not representing an applicant.

With this in mind, the Land Registry is widening the types of application where evidence of identity is required.

From March of this year, identity checks are being introduced to cover situations where parties to transactions are not legally represented.

The evidence of identity will be required when an application is made to register a transfer, lease or mortgage, and also for the discharge of a mortgage.

The guides are available at no charge from all Land Registry offices and are also available on the Land Registry website.

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