The HM Land Registry Property Alert Service is a free tool that helps you protect your property from fraud. Signing up can give you peace of mind if you own a home or manage a rental property. Below we explain all the benefits of this service.
What is a property alert service?
The HM Land Registry Property Alert Service lets you monitor up to 10 properties at a time and receive an email alert whenever there is a significant change to the official records. These alerts can help prevent property fraud by immediately letting you know about any unusual or unexpected activity
When would I receive an alert?
You will receive an alert when:
– Someone makes an official search or enquiry on your property.
– Changes are made to the title register, such as a new mortgage or a change in ownership.
– The legal status of the property is updated.
Receiving an alert doesn’t always mean that fraud is happening, but it allows you to act quickly and check if anything looks suspicious.
How to Set Up the Property Alert
1. Register online and create a free account.
2. Add your property.
3. Receive alerts. You’ll get email notifications whenever there is activity related to your properties.
4. If you move, update the Land Registry with your new contact details so you can continue to receive notifications.
Other Ways to Reduce the Risk of Property Fraud
In addition to signing up for the service, you can apply for a Form LL restriction on your property’s title. This means that no significant changes, like transferring ownership, can be made without specific checks, like a lawyer confirming your identity.
A Form LL restriction is a legal safeguard that is placed on a property’s title with HM Land Registry to help protect the property against fraud. It prevents a sale, transfer or mortgage from being registered without a solicitor. This is especially useful for homeowners who don’t live in the property, such as landlords, people living abroad or those with an empty property.
