27 April 2012

Absent landlords HMRC fraud alert

We are aware of a scam aimed at estate agents and their clients who are absent landlords. The fraud involves a fax apparently from HM Revenue and Customs requiring that Form NRL1 www.hmrc.gov.uk/cnr/nrl1.pdf be completed with personal information about the absent landlord including identifying properties with an absent owner. Form NRL1 is used to apply for UK rental income to be paid without deduction of UK tax.

Please note HMRC will not accept faxed or photocopies of this form. The information divulged in the completed form if it has been faxed may make your property vulnerable to title theft. Whilst this is not a widespread problem, our Protect your home from property fraud guidance www.landregistry.gov.uk/public/property-fraud outlines what you can do to reduce the risk of this happening by updating the address for service and applying on Form RQ for a restriction.