Land Transaction Return not in my name?

BAV187

I received an LTR the other day which was for my address, I didn't see a name on it so I opened it. It was about my property but I then noticed at the top it was addressed to "SEHDA" which I've never heard of. Since there was no title, I am assuming it is a company but why is it about my property? I first thought it was a scam but I Googled the bank details and the telephone number on the letter and it is actually from the HMRC so I'm still not sure if it is a scam or not? Normally I would have got rid of the letter but since it's about my property, I'm quite concerned. Has anyone ever had this? Is it a scam?

AnotherJoe

More clues about what the letter says please.
But if it's a genuine company amd genuine numbers for HMRC maybe someone just filled in a wrong address when buying or selling a property. I'd have a look at the land registry entry for your property and see what it says. Costs £3.

FWIW for free you can have land registry email you whenever something happens to do with the entry for your property. Well worth the time, to register.

BAV187

It says "I have received a Land Transaction Return from you relating to the above property for which you have assessed tax of £6250. Your total liability is tax of £6250, Interest of £2. An additional payment of £6252 is due."

I'm hoping it is a mistake on behalf of HMRC. I also Googles SEHDA and it's a .org website for Small Enterprise for Help Development for All

AnotherJoe

First thing tomorrow I'd check the land registry entry for your property, then I'd contact HMRC and SEHDA using the numbers off their websites not on the letter.

Thinking about it you can probably check the entry now it's all automated.

G_M

Check your property Title with the Land Registry here

Sign up for LR alerts here.

BAV187

Is it the Title Register? That says it costs £19.95, which is the one that costs £3?

eddddy

BAV187 wrote: »

Is it the Title Register? That says it costs £19.95, which is the one that costs £3?

Did you go to a website with an address that ends with .gov.uk?
i.e This one: https://eservices.landregistry.gov.uk/wps/portal/Property_Search


Or did you use google to find a commercial website (which doesn't end with .gov.uk)?

There are commercial websites that charge £19.95. (They pay £3 to land registry and keep £16.95 as profit.) People generally regard them as scams.

G_M

BAV187 wrote: »

Is it the Title Register? That says it costs £19.95, which is the one that costs £3?

I've checked the link in my post and yes, it is the Land Registry website (£3), not a commercial rip-off website.

Did you use google instead of my link?

BAV187

Sorry yes I did but I did use your link in the end to purchase it for £3. It still says mine and my husband's name as the proprietor from when we purchased in 2010 but I just rang HMRC using the number from the gov website and they said it is a genuine letter and confirmed my name and address and they said the property has recently been purchased on 05/10/16! They've just advised me to return the letter back to them with a covering letter and they will investigate - it could just be a case of mistaken identity. I hope I'm not a victim of fraud!

AnotherJoe

I'm sure it will eventually work out, it does sound like a mistake, but I can understand its concerning, so do let us know what the resolution is.

Did you try contacting SEHDA? (Though as its an organisation could be problematic to track the right person down)

I suggest you follow up my other idea of registering your property for alerts on the LR website so you are emailed when there are any transactions against it.

AnotherJoe

p.s. I've also looked up SEHDA and its an organisation in Mauritius !
Its sounding a bit more towards the 'scam' end of the spectrum.