Title fraud: someone selling or mortgaging your property
Fraudsters can pose as an owner to sell or borrow against a property. Empty, rented or mortgage-free homes are most at risk. Free alerts and a restriction help.
Sign up to HM Land Registry's free Property Alert to get an email if someone applies to change the register for a property you watch.
Owners can ask HM Land Registry to add a restriction so no sale or mortgage is registered unless a solicitor or conveyancer certifies they've checked it's really you. It's free if you live there, with a fee if you don't (for example landlords).
Keep your contact addresses on the register up to date (you can add up to three, including an email), so warning letters reach you.
What to check
- Property Alert set up for each property you own
- Restriction added if the property is empty, let or mortgage-free
- Contact addresses on the register up to date
Who can help
HM Land Registry (property fraud line), and a solicitor if something has been registered.
Official sources
Checked 5 November 2026. General information for England and Wales, not legal advice.