“Protect Your Property”

The Land Registry is running a “protect your property” campaign.  This highlights the importance of ensuring the Land Registry has up-to-date contact details for you.

Fraudsters may target properties where the owner lives elsewhere.  They could attempt to acquire title to the property by forging transfer documentation or obtain finance on the property by impersonating the owner.

Properties particularly at risk of this are:

• buy-to-let or tenanted properties;
• holiday homes;
• those where the owner has died or is in care.

In addition, in certain circumstances the Land Registry may need to contact you to tell you about an issue relating to your property.  For example, a neighbour may make an application to the Land Registry to claim that the boundary is wrong and should be amended, or somebody may claim that they have rights of access over your land.

If you want to check the details the Land Registry holds for you, you need to look at the title register for your property.  You can order this from the Land Registry website using a credit card at a cost of £4.  Alternatively, we can obtain a copy for you at a small charge.  If you discover that the property address is incorrect, you should immediately contact the Land Registry.  You can give up to three addresses, including an e mail address and an address abroad.

There is more advice on the Land Registry website www.landregistry.gov.uk. 

Alternatively, please ask your usual contact at Birketts.

The content of this article is for general information only.  As always, specific professional advice should be taken on each individual matter.© Birketts LLP 2010.  Solicitors regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.