Protect your home from property fraud
Your property is probably the most valuable asset you own. That's why it's important you do whatever you can to protect it from the risk of fraud.
Fraudsters often target properties where there is no mortgage or the owner lives elsewhere. Fraudsters may attempt to acquire ownership of a property either by using a forged document to transfer it into their own name, or by impersonating the registered owner.
There is an increased risk of fraud when:
- a property is empty or has been bought to let
- an owner is spending time abroad or absent
- the owner is infirm or in a nursing or care home
- a relationship breaks down
- a property has no mortgage.
You can help to make sure that you do not become a victim of property fraud by:
Requesting or applying for a restriction to help prevent forgery
- Additional security for owners not living at the registered property
- Additional security for owner occupiers of a registered property
- What to do if you think that you have already been the victim of property fraud
Is your property registered?
About 20% of land in England and Wales remains unregistered. Firstly you should make sure that your property is registered. If you then become an innocent victim of fraud and suffer a financial loss as a consequence, you may be compensated.
Are your contact details up to date?
If your property is registered, you should make sure the contact details we hold for you are up to date. When we receive an application regarding your property, we may write to you about it. If your details are not up to date, you may not receive our letter or email.
You can provide us with three different addresses, including an email address and an address abroad. Download and complete the following form to add an address or update your existing contact details. There is no charge for this service.
Updating registered owners' contact address form (PDF)
You can also download the form included in our help leaflet.
Protect yourself from property fraud (PDF)
Once you have completed the form, send it to us at:
Freepost RSUY-SSUU-EJRX
Land Registry
Gloucester Office
COA Team
Twyver House
Bruton Way
Gloucester
GL1 1DQ
If we receive an application to change your contact details we will send a letter to both your old and new addresses to check that the application is genuine.
Additional security for owners not living at the registered property (Form RQ)
We have launched an additional security measure aimed at owners who do not live at the registered property. This will initially be trialled for six months
Under this measure you or your conveyancer can make a request using our form RQ asking the registrar to enter a restriction, free of charge.
For more detail about the process and to understand what a restriction means - please see questions and answers for form RQ process and see our Public Guide 17 - How to safeguard against property fraud.
Form RQ enables you to make a request for a restriction to be placed in the register of the title to your property. Simply print off the form and complete it. Then send it to the address shown on the form. A separate form must be used for each registered property.
You can download form RQ in Adobe's PDF format or as an MS Word document. Please visit our questions and answers for form RQ before completing your application.
Please do not send form RQ to us with any other type of application.
Form RQ - Request for a restriction by owner(s) not living at the property (PDF)
Form RQ - Request for a restriction by owner(s) not living at the property (MS Word)
If you qualify but have made a previous application for a restriction using form RX1 and paid a fee then you can request a refund of your fee provided:
- you made the RX1 application on or after 1 February 2012 and
- you, or at least one of the other owners do not live at the property.
Additional security for owner occupiers of a registered property (Form RX1)
Owner occupiers who do not qualify to request a restriction using form RQ can still apply for restriction in their register but have to apply using form RX1. We have created a special restriction for those who believe they may be at risk. This Form LL restriction makes sure that we will not register a sale or a mortgage, unless a solicitor or other conveyancer has certified that the person who has signed the deed is the registered owner. This could help to prevent a fraudster forging a signature. There is a £50 fee for this service.
The wording of a restriction is very important and we advise that you get advice from your solicitor or conveyancer if you wish to protect your property in this way.
Public Guide 17 - How to safeguard against property fraud provides more information on the methods of protection available for home-owners.
What to do if you think that you have already been the victim of property fraud
- Contact Customer Support immediately. See Contact us for more information.
- Contact a solicitor or a Citizens Advice Bureau and the police.
- Get professional advice if you are not sure what to do.
House Price Index
Mar 2012: 257.3(Jan 1995 = 100)
Avg. Price £160,372 Change:Annual -0.6%
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Our Customer Support team will answer your questions and respond to your requests by email or phone.
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