Sector Focus


Property


How to protect your home from property fraud


A high profile case featured by the BBC, in which fraudsters put a five- bedroom home up for sale without the owner’s knowledge, illustrated the need to take advantage of the Land Registry’s anti-fraud measures, says property specialist lawyers at Clarke Willmott LLP. The case, highlighted on the


BBC’s Rip off Britain and The One Show, replayed how two fraudsters used identity theft to transfer the deeds of a property into one of the fraudster’s names following which the property was put up for auction. Mark Buckerfield, a partner in the


residential property team of Clarke Willmott, said: “Property fraud is a real threat and people who have paid off their mortgage are in a particularly vulnerable position as there are no lenders or other interested parties involved. Similarly people who do not live at their property need to be on guard. “There are protective measures


that property owners can take, for example registering with the free Land Registry alert service which ensures they receive a warning as soon as anyone attempts to deal with their property. “However, although the alert


service is an effective warning service it does not automatically block any dealings. In the case highlighted by the BBC, the fraudsters were able to intercept mail, forge signatures and attempt to sell the property through auction with no viewings. Fortunately the victim stumbled across the


Mark Buckerfield: Property fraud is a ‘real threat’


advertisement three days before the auction and was able to stop the men in their tracks. “It shows the lengths fraudsters


will go to and for that reason registering a restriction on the property register is more secure. This can be done by a solicitor for around £200-£250 plus VAT, which is not a huge amount to pay to protect an asset as valuable as a house. “Sadly it is not something that


many people do, but really should be something people consider, especially if they have made their last mortgage payment or the property is vacant or let.” The HM Land Registry have a


Property Fraud Line on 0300 006 7030 for anyone who believes a fraud has been committed against their property.


‘Property fraud is a real threat and people who have paid off their mortgage are in a particularly vulnerable position’


Law firm appoints Overbury for office refit


Law firm Pinsent Masons have appointed Overbury to deliver the fit out of their impressive new offices in the heart of Birmingham’s business district. Overbury have been tasked to deliver the fit out of


40,000 sq ft of office space on the first and second floor at 55 Colmore Row. The redeveloped office building was recently


unveiled after undergoing a £30m, 12-month transformation by developer IM Properties. Danny Parmar, business development manager at


Overbury, said: “We have worked with Pinsent Masons on fit outs across the country over a number of years, and we are delighted to be doing so once again on this highly prestigious project. Colmore Row is one of the key areas in this city, and


Key area: Danny Parmar 48 CHAMBERLINK June 2017


it provides us with another great opportunity to showcase our fit out expertise.”


The fit out will create an open office arrangement


for staff, and provide an impressive meeting suite, as well as a new staff restaurant. The installation of bespoke joinery will create a unique finish, and a striking curved reception area. London architect Perkins and Will has designed the


new offices internally. Work is underway and expected to be completed in June, with Pinsent Masons moving from its existing offices at the Wesleyan building. Shirley de Roché, property and facilities director at


Pinsent Masons, said: “The West Midlands remains a crucial market for us. Birmingham is going to be among the most vibrant legal and commercial centres outside of London over the next decade, and we’re pleased that our flagship new office reflects the internationally recognised and innovative legal service that we offer in the heart of the Midlands.”


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