HM Land Registry Property Alert: what it is and how to sign up
How the free Property Alert service warns you about activity on your property’s title, who should use it, and what to do if you get an alert.
The short answer
Property Alert is a free email service run by HM Land Registry for property in England and Wales. Once you sign up and add a property, you get an email when there is significant activity on its title — for example, someone applying to register a new mortgage against it. It is designed to help you spot property fraud early.
Why it matters: property fraud
Property fraud is when someone pretends to be the owner and tries to sell or mortgage a property without the real owner knowing. HM Land Registry says it stopped 97 registered title fraud attempts, on properties worth a total of £58 million, between April 2023 and March 2024.
GOV.UK says you are more at risk if your identity has been stolen, you rent the property out, you live overseas, the property is empty, it has no mortgage, or it is not registered with HM Land Registry.
What the service does
You can monitor up to 10 properties, and there is no fee. You don’t have to own a property to watch it, so you can set up an alert for a parent’s or relative’s home. The property must already be registered with HM Land Registry.
Each alert tells you the type of activity, such as an application to change the register, who made the application, and the date and time it was received.
How to sign up
Go to propertyalert.landregistry.gov.uk and create an account. HM Land Registry sends a verification email; click the link in it to activate your account. Then sign in and add each property using its address or title number. Alerts are sent by email — if you don’t have an email address, you can call the Property Alert team.
What to do if you get an alert
Not every alert means fraud. If you recognise the activity — for example, your own remortgage or a change you asked for — you don’t need to do anything. If you weren’t expecting it, act quickly: the alert email explains who to contact, and HM Land Registry has a dedicated property fraud team.
What it doesn’t do
Property Alert does not block changes to the register — it only tells you about them. If you want stronger protection, you can ask HM Land Registry to add a restriction to your title, so a sale or mortgage can’t be registered unless a conveyancer or solicitor certifies the application was made by you. GOV.UK says this is free if you don’t live at the property and costs £40 if you do.
Keep your details up to date
HM Land Registry uses the contact address on the register to reach you. If you have moved, or your details on the title are wrong, update the register so any letters or emails about your property actually reach you.
Common questions
Is HM Land Registry Property Alert free?
Yes. There is no fee to sign up or to monitor up to 10 properties.
Can I set up a Property Alert for my parents’ house?
Yes. You don’t have to own a property to monitor it, so you can watch a relative’s home. The property must already be registered with HM Land Registry.
Does Property Alert stop fraud?
No, not on its own. It tells you when something happens on the title so you can act quickly. To actually prevent a sale or mortgage being registered without your knowledge, you can apply for a restriction on your title.
What does a Property Alert email tell me?
The type of activity, such as an application to change the register or a new mortgage, who made the application, and the date and time it was received. If you don’t recognise it, follow the contact details in the email straight away.
Is the Property Alert service available in Scotland?
No. HM Land Registry covers England and Wales. Scotland has a separate property alert service run by Registers of Scotland.
This guide is general information about England and Wales, not legal or tax advice. We prepare and submit paperwork; mortgaged or complex cases are referred to a regulated solicitor.
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Prefer to talk to someone? Call 0800 000 0000 or email help@expresspropertytransfers.co.uk