Protect your land and property from fraud

Risk to land or property ownership

Your land or property is more at risk if:

• your identity has been stolen
• you rent out your property
• you live overseas
• the property is empty
• the property isn’t mortgaged
• the registered owner is dead
• the property isn’t registered with the Land Registry

It is important to check if your land or property is registered with the Land Registry.

Check if your Land or property is registered

You can check if your land or property is registered in the Land Registry by searching for your land or property. 

•  Searching the Land Registry. 

If your land or property is registered you will be able to obtain copies of Land Registry documents which can tell you if your land or property has been transferred.

•  Searching the Land Registry.

Compulsory first registration

When you buy unregistered property or land from 1 May 2003, you must register the title in Land Registry under the compulsory first registration (CFR) process. This is the first time the land or property's title will appear in Land Registry. 

Your solicitor needs to apply and certify the land or property's title.

• Compulsory first registration 

Voluntary first registration

If property or land has been in your name from before 1 May 2003 and has not been sold, it is also possible for your solicitor to voluntary first register the title in the Land Registry.

Getting a rate bill

When your solicitor registers your property, you must tell Land & Property Services (LPS) the date you became the new owner. LPS need this information to assess the rate bill for your property.

• Sign up for rates

Applying to register an inhibition on property

If you think you're at risk from land or property fraud, you can apply to have an inhibition registered on the Folio.

This usually prevents Land Registry registering a sale or mortgage on your land or property without your consent.

• Cautions and inhibitions

Address for Land Registry to send notices

If you are the registered owner of land or property then you are required to provide the Land Registry with a UK postal address. This is the address that Land Registry will write to you or send a formal notice.  It is important that this address is correct and up to date.

You can check if your address is up to date by ordering a copy of your folio by searching the Land Registry.  This address will be written after your name.  If your address is not up to date you can contact your solicitor about updating this address.

For further information on updating this address, see Registrar’s Practice Direction 4/2019:

• Land registration publications

If you’re a victim of land or property fraud

You should report the fraud to the Police Service of Northern Ireland as Land Registry do not have the power to investigate allegations of fraud.

For further information go to:  Reporting a scam

You should also contact Land Registry's customer information line if you think you’re the victim of land or property fraud:

• email: customerinformation.landregistration@finance-ni.gov.uk
• telephone: 0300 200 7803 

Matters regarding land or property involve complex areas of law and you may wish to seek the advice of a solicitor who specialises in property law, also known as Conveyancing. 

LPS are unable to recommend solicitors but details of firms who offer conveyancing services can be obtained from the Law Society of Northern Ireland website at:

• Finding a Solicitor

The Law Society is also the regulatory authority governing the education, accounts, discipline and professional conduct of solicitors in order to maintain the independence, ethical standards, professional competence and quality of services offered to the public.

More useful links

• How to find property and land information
• A guide to rates
• Reporting a scam