A practical step to help guard against property fraud

The Land Registry is sharing tips and guidance following International Fraud Awareness Week. According to the Registry, losses due to conveyancing fraud in the period April 2024 to March 2025 amounted to £11.7 million.

Property owners who may be particularly at risk of being victim to property fraud are those who do not occupy their property, for example landlords and second-home owners. This includes many schools, charities and faith organisations.

The good news is that there is a simple step that can be taken to help guard against property fraud - sign up for the Land Registry's free Property Alert service. Up to 10 properties can be monitored.

The service will send an email alert if significant activity occurs on the register in relation to the monitored property. This will provide an opportunity to act if the activity is unexpected.

Other tips include registering any unregistered property and ensuring that contact address information at the Land Registry remains current.

Further details providing guidance on the Land Registry's Property Alert service can be found here.