NRLA partners with Title Guardian to safeguard landlords against property fraud

The NRLA have teamed up with a property fraud service to help protect landlords from tenant subletting.

Title Guardian monitors Land Registry title documents and other digital sources and is designed to meet the rising threat of property fraud for landlords.

According to Direct Line Business Insurance, nearly half of tenants (48%) who sublet do not tell their landlord.

Property being stolen

Property fraud is on the rise in many parts of the country, with fraudsters using various methods such as cloning identity documents to open bank accounts.

In some extreme cases, victims may even face the risk of losing their property. Title Guardian warns of the impact property fraud can have on landlords.

John Daw, Title Guardian’s chief executive officer, explains: “Landlords can be at a higher risk of fraudulent threats. They aren’t at their properties, so can be vulnerable to property and identity misuse and unauthorised sub-letting.

“Landlords also face the threat of title fraud, a digital crime that can result in property being stolen.

“Fraudulent activities on your unprotected portfolio can lead to loss of income, invalidated insurance policies, complications with mortgage lenders, protracted legal disputes and even the prospect of losing property to title fraud.”

Title Guardian monitors thousands of digital sources such as sales and letting portals and government databases, including HM Land Registry and Companies House.

Tackle the issue of property fraud

The NRLA hope the partnership will help tackle the issue of property fraud head-on.

Ben Beadle, chief executive of the NRLA said: “This partnership provides our members with important protections against fraud at a time when, unfortunately, crimes of this nature are becoming more common across the private rented sector.

“With Title Guardian already regarded across the market as the leading provider of this kind of support, we are delighted to be extending this valuable service to our growing membership base.”