I’m a conveyancer. Do I need to sign clients up to HMLR’s anti-fraud services?
I’m the senior responsible officer (SRO) in a CQS-accredited firm. Should I review our file closure procedure to ensure that post-completion purchaser clients are made aware of HM Land Registry’s anti-fraud services?
Your closing letter to clients should comply with the provisions of paragraph 7.5 of the Core Practice Management Standards produced by the Law Society in February 2022.
From 1 May 2022, it became compulsory for Conveyancing Quality Scheme (CQS) member firms to adopt the Core Practice Management Standards.
Sub-paragraph 7.5 (f) stipulates that you should:
“draw the client’s attention to the HM Land Registry Property Alert Service and other fraud guidance published by HM Land Registry and remind the client of the importance to the client of ensuring that their address information as held by HM Land Registry is kept up to date.”
You may wish to consider adopting a policy whereby, post registration, your firm agrees to sign clients up to HM Land Registry’s email property alert notification database as a bespoke add-on service.
You can monitor a maximum of 10 properties per account.
Disclaimer
While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information in this article, it does not constitute legal advice and cannot be relied upon as such. The Law Society does not accept any responsibility for liabilities arising as a result of reliance upon the information given.
Have you got a practice question?
Call the Practice Advice Service on 020 7320 5675 or email practiceadvice@lawsociety.org.uk.
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