Putting a restriction on your property?

[Deleted User]

Heard an awful story on Radio 4 today about thieves (sometimes successfully) selling off property they don't actually own (by forging documents and then persuading the land registry to change ownership!) The advice was that, if you own any property without a mortgage, put a Restriction on that property so that it cannot be sold except by you (the owner). I've had a quick look at the government's website but it's not clear to me (a) if there are any downsides to doing this, and (b) if I really need a conveyancer to do it. I already have a property alert on it but, of course, if thieves persuade the land registry that I'm no longer the owner, that wouldn't help (as they wouldn't contact me).

I know it's very unlikely to happen but I don't have much except my house and it would be a disaster if it DID happen.

Just wondered if anyone had already done this?

moneyistooshorttomention

It's possible to have an alert set up with Land Registry of any "action" on your "account". It costs nothing.

I set one up on my current house. As far as I can see - I should be due for notification by the LR even just if someone asks for a copy of my Register entry.

Since registering for that - I've had an email at intervals saying exactly what I wish it to say, ie "No action on your account".

Davesnave

Corona wrote: »

I already have a property alert on it but, of course, if thieves persuade the land registry that I'm no longer the owner, that wouldn't help (as they wouldn't contact me).

I know it's very unlikely to happen but I don't have much except my house and it would be a disaster if it DID happen.

Just wondered if anyone had already done this?

[STRIKE]You should have posted this on the House Buying, Renting and Selling board, which is visited by the Land Registry representative. I doubt if he/she will find it here.

Presumably you or your solicitor hold the original title documentation, and you are living in the property, so the practical difficulties of stealing it from you without your mounting a successful challenge, would be considerable.

Nevertheless, if you want a definitive answer, you now know where to get it. [/STRIKE]

EDIT: It's already being discussed there........

[Deleted User]

money, thank you so much. I found the alert page on the land registry and it is now set up for me. A very useful post

Farway

I have same as Money, set it up some years back when a similar scare was doing the rounds, I get regular "no activity" reports from the LR

Well worth a few minutes of your time

linni

https://propertyalert.landregistry.gov.uk/

this looks like it, if anyone wants to do it.

[Deleted User]

Davesnave wrote: »

[STRIKE]You should have posted this on the House Buying, Renting and Selling board, which is visited by the Land Registry representative. I doubt if he/she will find it here.

Presumably you or your solicitor hold the original title documentation, and you are living in the property, so the practical difficulties of stealing it from you without your mounting a successful challenge, would be considerable.

Nevertheless, if you want a definitive answer, you now know where to get it. [/STRIKE]

EDIT: It's already being discussed there........

The reason I posted here is that the programme emphasised that this is only likely to happen if there's no mortgage on the property and, I would guess, that people over 50 are more likely to have paid off their mortgage.

I have checked the other forum, thanks. That was useful advice. It's still being discussed there but the Land Registry rep has yet to make an appearance, sadly, so no definitive answer at the moment.

Davesnave

Corona wrote: »

It's still being discussed there but the Land Registry rep has yet to make an appearance, sadly, so no definitive answer at the moment.

I would hazard a guess that Mr/Mrs/Ms Land Registry will take advice from their bosses before replying, as this could be seen as a hot potato for them.

Of course, that advice might be not to respond.

And before you ask, it's impossible to PM the Land Registry Rep....I've tried!

missile

I don't have much except my house and it would be a disaster if it DID happen.

The thieves stole his identity by scamming mail from his post box. The sale of this house was stopped. The reporter said he nearly lost his house. I would suggest this is overstating the risk. I would suggest, even had the sale gone ahead, the owner would not have lost his home.

In this similar case the owner retained possession of the property and purchaser got his money back > http://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/coventry-news/police-hunt-fraudsters-who-pocketed-7535091