Press Office

LAND REGISTRY’S NEW GUIDES HELP TO SAFEGUARD AGAINST PROPERTY FRAUD

Land and buildings are usually the most valuable assets people own. Because they can be sold and mortgaged to raise money, they are often attractive targets for fraudsters.

Land Registry has recently published two new guides which advise members of the public:

• how the risks of a successful fraud can be minimised
• when evidence of identity is required if lodging an application to register a property.

Public Guide 17 - How to safeguard against property fraud explains the simple steps that can be taken to help prevent fraud or forgery. For example:

• If your property is not already registered, consider applying for voluntary first registration which offers a 25 per cent discount
• Keep your name and address on the register up to date.

Public Guide 20 - Identity checks provides guidance on when evidence of identity must be lodged in support of an application for registration.

Like many other organisations, Land Registry has been investigating additional safeguards to deter and prevent fraud. As there is a higher risk of fraud when a solicitor or conveyancer does not represent the applicant, Land Registry is widening the types of applications where evidence of identity is required.

From 3 March 2008, identity checks are being introduced to include situations where parties to transactions are not legally represented.

Land Registry, professional conveyancers and mortgage lenders all have safeguards to minimise the risk of a fraud being successful and this includes checking the identity of clients and parties involved in transactions affecting property. Its requirements are similar to the identity checks made by other bodies, including banks.

Public Guides are available free from all Land Registry offices and can be viewed, downloaded and printed by visiting www.landregistry.gov.uk/publications/.

ENDS

Notes to editors

1. Public Guide 17 - How to safeguard against property fraud www.landregistry.gov.uk/assets/library/documents/public_guide_017.pdf
2. Public Guide 20 - Identity checks www.landregistry.gov.uk/assets/library/documents/public_guide_020.pdf
3. With the world’s largest property database of over 21 million titles, Land Registry underpins the economy by safeguarding ownership of many billions of pounds worth of property. Around £1million worth of property is processed every minute in England and Wales.
4. As a government department established in 1862, executive agency and trading fund responsible to the Secretary of State for Justice and Lord Chancellor, Land Registry keeps and maintains the Land Register for England and Wales. The Land Register has been an open document since 1990.
5. 5. For further information about Land Registry, please visit www.landregistry.gov.uk

Contacts

Marion Shelley 020 7166 4543
marion.shelley@landregistry.gsi.gov.uk

Heather Edwards 020 7166 4487
heather.edwards@landregistry.gsi.gov.uk