Can someone take my house off me?

red_dragon123

I have my brother living with my mum and the house is entirely under my name. I recently noticed a letter with his name on it delivered to the house (not knowing what the letter is, maybe a bill). Bearing in mind he still has his own house but chooses not to live in it.

I just want to know is there anyway he can claim any rights to the house which could give him authority to sell or maybe even claim the house is his own?

Thank you.

DCFC79

Sid_123 wrote: »

I have my brother living with my mum and the house is entirely under my name. I recently noticed a letter with his name on it delivered to the house (not knowing what the letter is, maybe a bill). Bearing in mind he still has his own house but chooses not to live in it.

I just want to know is there anyway he can claim any rights to the house which could give him authority to sell or maybe even claim the house is his own?

Thank you.

So your brother and mother both live in a house that's in your name correct.

Why do you think he would claim the house that's in your name as his own ?
Cant see how he would have any authority to sell a house that isn't yours.

davidmcn

If it's the address where he lives then of course he's going to have correspondence sent to him there. Not sure why that would be unusual or a concern?

red_dragon123

DCFC79 wrote: »

So your brother and mother both live in a house that's in your name correct.

Why do you think he would claim the house that's in your name as his own ?
Cant see how he would have any authority to sell a house that isn't yours.

Correct, just wanted to know if there was some loop hole in some sort of way.

Thank you for the response!

red_dragon123

davidmcn wrote: »

If it's the address where he lives then of course he's going to have correspondence sent to him there. Not sure why that would be unusual or a concern?

Just a concern because he has his own house that he could live in.

Thank you for replying!

Mojisola

If your house is registered with the Land Registry -
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/land-registry -
then you can sign up for Property Alert in case anyone tries to sell your house or raise a loan on it -
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/land-registry-launches-property-alert-service-to-help-fight-property-fraud

stator

If you have any worries about fraud then set up a property alert with the Land Registry:

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

Also setup up a credit alert with the main Credit Reference Agencies, so you would know if someone applies for credit in your name

TBagpuss

The only ways that he or your mum could make a claim against the house would be if they claimed that they had a beneficial interest in the property. Just living there doesn't result in a claim, they would have to satisfy a court that there was an agreement or joint intention by you and them that they would have an interest, this can happen where someone makes significant contributions (for instance, paying the mortgage, carrying out extensive renovations etc).

If you are worried, then if your brother offers that kind of help, either turn down the offer, or, before he makes any payment or carries out any work, have an agreement drawn up that specifies that he will not gain any legal or beneficial interest in the property as a result.

Alternatively, tell him that you would like him to make arrangements to go back to his own house rather than living at yours,!