Land Registry is responsiblle for keeping a register of title to property throughout England and Wales. There is no better way to safe guard ownership of property than by registering your title with the Land Registry.

Land Registry is committed to eradicating property fraud and we work alongside the police and other agencies to help achieve this.

Your property is one of the most valuable assets that you can own. It can be sold and mortgaged to raise money and is therefore an attractive target for fraudsters.

Who can be targeted?
Buy-to-let properties are common targets for property fraudsters. In particular, the fraudster may target rented properties where:

• the landlord owner is known not to occupy the property because it is let out
• the landlord owner's contact address and the property description on the register at the Land Registry are the same and this is not where the landlord is living

What you can do to protect your property
If your property is not registered, consider applying for a voluntary first registration.

If your property is registered with Land Registry then it is recommended that you update your contact details ('address for service') with us whenever your details change. This is important as this is the address we may write to or send official notices when we receive an application concerning your property.

• Updating your address for service is free and easy to do
• You do not need a solicitor

  you or your letting agent should always satisfy yourselves of the true identity of tenants applicants by carrying out additional identity checks. If your property is empty you should inspect it from time-to-time for evidence of unauthorised entry.

  Want to find out more?

  Land Registry provides the following information that explains what to do in more detail.

  • Public Guide 2 - Keeping your address for service up to date explains how to apply to update an address for service.
  • Public guide 17 - How to safeguard against property fraud explains what property owners can do to protect themselves against this type of fraud.

    Both guides are available free of charge from the Land Registry website - go to www.landregistry.gov.uk and select 'Preventing fraud'.