Conveyancing in Bradford – how Solicitors help prevent fraudulent sales

Bradford Property Lawyer Jaclyn Smith dealt with the Conveyancing in Bradford for the sellers of a modern detached home on Bunting Drive, Bradford, West Yorkshire BD6 in 2010. In order to confirm that her instructions actually came from the owners of the property, she carried out various checks to verify their identity. Although this might seem intrusive, it is now a necessary part of Conveyancing in Bradford.

Conveyancing Solicitors in Bradford beat the fraudsters

The land registry, the government agency which is responsible for registering property titles, reports that there has been an increasing number of fraud cases in recent years. Fraudsters have impersonated the real owners of homes and sold or mortgaged them without the owners' knowledge. In order to try and prevent this happening the registry now requires all Property Lawyers to confirm that they have carried out identity checks when submitting property transfers or mortgages for registration. 

The agents handling the sale were Whitegates of 65 Darley Street, Bradford, West Yorkshire, BD1 3HN. They confirmed that Whitaker Firth Solicitors of 1 Manor Row Bradford, West Yorkshire, BD1 4PB  would be handling the Conveyancing in Bradford for the buyers. Jaclyn sent them a copy of the register of the sellers' title with the contract, so that they could investigate the title and satisfy themselves that the sellers did in fact own the property and were entitled to sell it.

Advice on registration of addresses for owners 

In order to avoid property fraud, the land registry encourages owners to ensure that their address details are kept updated. If the registry needs to serve an official notice on the registered owner this will be sent to their address as shown on the register. If that address is not where the real owner lives, this can lead to a home being sold or even mortgaged without their knowledge.

When an owner is living abroad or is otherwise not resident at the property alternative addresses can be notified, including an email address. This is particularly important for anyone letting their home. Additional addresses can be registered without payment of any further fee, and Conveyancers who deal with Conveyancing in Bradford will be pleased to advise about this.

Having satisfied herself that her clients were indeed the true owners of the house being sold Jaclyn was happy to proceed with the sale on their behalf. Although these identity checks will smack of state intrusion into private life, they have become necessary to try and prevent fraud. Homeowners should appreciate that their Conveyancing Solicitors are now obliged to carry out such checks for the clients' own protection (unless of course they are fraudulently trying to sell a house they don't own!)