Your property fraud questions answered

Property fraud was in the press recently, after a tenant tried to sell his landlord’s property using fake documents and a fabricated estate agency. Thankfully, incidents like this are extremely uncommon, thanks to legitimate estate agents like us, legal protocols and a robust conveyancing system.

Still, a degree of home mover diligence is sensible and the answers to these commonly-asked questions will help you reduce the risk of encountering property frauds and fakes.

Q. Can my house be sold without my knowledge?
A. It is exceptionally rare for this to happen, and such a sale is usually rumbled by agents and solicitors before it reaches completion. Although vacant, let and mortgage-free properties are most susceptible to fraudulent activity, all homeowners should be aware of identity theft. This is when criminals change their name by deed poll to match that of the homeowner and use fraudulent ID to move home and secure a mortgage.

Q. How can I prevent someone from selling my home without my knowledge?
A. There are a number of protective measures open to homeowners. We recommend contacting the Land Registry to ensure three things are in place: your property is registered with them; an alert is set up that notifies you if someone tries to change the ownership of the property or refinance it; and that there is an anti-fraud title restriction on the property, which means a solicitor has to confirm the person selling the property is the registered owner.

Q. How do I know if a buyer is legitimate?
A. There are a number of identity and authenticity checks an estate agent is obliged to make, which will ensure any buyer put forward is genuine, to the best of the agent’s knowledge. In addition, the conveyancers involved and the seller’s mortgage lender will make additional checks, especially concerning financial security and identity.

Q. How will I know if a property for sale is genuine?
A. Fake properties for sale are extremely few and far between but you can protect yourself by always purchasing through a reputable estate agent. Never deal directly with a seller who is advertising on a selling site, such as Facebay or Gumtree, as you’ll have little – or no – protection or right to compensation. Private sellers are not allowed to list a property on Zoopla, Rightmove or OnTheMarket so if the property for sale isn’t on one of the leading portals, question why.

Q. How will I know if an estate agent is genuine?
A. Fake estate agencies are even rarer than fake property sales but it’s still wise to validate any agency you are dealing with. Check if the estate agent has the vitals first: a landline contact number, a website, any online reviews and a willingness to meet at their office.

Next, check their accreditations. Reputable estate agents will be able to prove their membership or affiliation to one – or a number – of these bodies, such as Client Money Protect; The Property Ombudsman; The Property Redress Scheme; the Information Commissioner’s Office; Propertymark; SafeAgent; UK Association of Letting Agents and/or The National Approved Letting Scheme.

Q. What role do estate agents play in preventing property fraud?
A. Estate agents play a pivotal role in protecting buyers, sellers and landlords, carrying out identity and background checks. Among those are ‘know your client’ anti-money laundering checks to make sure the money someone is using to buy a property comes from a legitimate source. Agents also have a legal duty to carry out ‘due diligence’, which involves asking to see photo ID and proof of address of those buying and selling a property.

Q. I have been refused access to view a property, should I be worried?
A. Some sellers will protect their privacy and limit viewings but a complete refusal for an in-person viewing is worrying. Other red flags include only being able to view a virtual tour, no photos of the property’s inside or denying a surveyor access. Sometimes there is a plausible reason for this but an estate agent will give you the full and accurate picture.

Q. How can I choose a reputable solicitor?
A. A diligent solicitor will be alert for fraudulent activity so it pays to have the best legal representative in place – one who will thoroughly investigate title deeds and ownership details. Personal recommendations are always a good place to start when appointing a company, and we can provide a list of legal firms we trust. You can also check the validity of a conveyancer or solicitor with the Council for Licensed Conveyancers or the Law Society, respectively.

We are here to act as a layer of protection when moving home. Our training means we are able to spot fraudulent activity and often ‘feel’ when a party may be operating unethically. If you’d like to know what anti-fraud measures we have in place, please get in touch.

Red alert! The magenta colour trend for 2023

Is red a colour you’ve always shied away from in the home? It’s certainly not a neutral or a shy, retiring colour but red can bring warmth and depth to any interior – you just need to know which shade to choose and where to apply it.

The people at Pantone have recently released their colour of the year for 2023 and they plumped for a red called Viva Magenta. It’s a shade Pantone calls ‘brave, fearless, empowering and joyous’.

So, what makes this red more suitable for the home than other hues? Viva Magenta is nothing like the primary red we see on post boxes and fire engines. It’s not as brash or as vibrant but is more earthy and soft, thanks to being inspired by the natural dye, cochineal. And instead of blue undertones, which can make a red feel cold, Viva Magenta is rooted in deep pinks and warm purples, which add richness and a touch of luxury.

This framed artwork is the most literal way of introducing Viva Magenta into your home. Featuring Pantone’s iconic swatch design and coloured-blocked with 2023’s chosen shade, it would look great hung on a white wall or, if hanging pictures is an issue, prop it up on a mantlepiece for an instant no-drill interior addition.

There are some stunning wallpapers in the Viva Magenta colour palette and while they can be applied to a wall to create a feature focal point, wallpaper can also be stuck to furniture to add a dash of colour and revamp a tired looking chest of drawers, for example. Look for ‘peel and stick’ wallpapers that are easy to cut and attach.

Accessories are a quick route to red in your home, so why not try a beanbag? They’ve had a chic upgrade thanks to the use of grown-up fabrics, shapes and colours, including dark, sophisticated shades. Finished in a plush velvet and available in a deep magenta colour, this Isabelle & Max beanbag will bring a luxe look to any home. As an added bonus, it comes pre-filled with a removable, washable cover.

Viva Magenta and velvet fabric are such a good pairing that there’s a wealth of options to choose from.  If you have wooden dining chairs and want to add a layer of comfort, these velvet quilted seat pads in the temptingly named shade ‘merlot’ will be loved by everyone who sits down to dinner.

Inspired by another type of French wine is this four-seater sofa. Its Chesterfield styling, scrolled arms and button back are enhanced when upholstered in the decadent ‘bordeaux’ velvet fabric – a red that’s undercut by shades of juicy blackcurrants and ripe raspberries.

Finally, and sticking to the boozy theme, John Lewis has a collection of different size Egyptian cotton towels available in a colour it calls ‘claret’. You’ll elevate any bathroom by adding a neatly folded stack of these plush towels and the colour will ‘pop’ when it sits next to white sanitaryware.

If you would like to discuss your décor and gain some interior design styling tips ahead of a house move, please contact our team.

FAQs: I’m a tenant, how can I reduce my energy bills?

December has arrived, and among the early Christmas cards and party invitations was an alert from the Met Office. Our first Level 3 warning for severe cold weather and icy conditions across the UK reminded us just how bitter winter can be.

Usually, we would reach for the thermostat and turn up the temperature to beat the chill. Amidst an energy crisis, however, we are, instead, wearing extra layers and using the heating more sparingly. It’s not just gas unit prices that are more expensive this winter. Electricity is proving costly too, with many of us finding a new-found level of frugality when it comes to leaving lights on and unplugging appliances.

In terms of rented properties, we are often asked how tenants can keep their fuel bills down. As well as recommending the advice of the Energy Saving Trust, we thought it would be useful to share the answers to our most frequently asked energy questions:-

Can I install a smart energy meter?

A smart energy meter is one of the best ways of managing how much energy you use but tenants are often unsure whether they need the landlord’s permission to install one. If you pay for your own energy, you are free to request a smart energy meter.

It is, however, advisable to let the landlord know your intention as there may be restrictions on the type of meter that can be installed and the energy that is supplied to the property. Contact us if you would like a smart energy meter and we can liaise with the landlord on your behalf.

Can I change my energy supplier?

It’s hoped that 2023 will bring some new, cheaper energy deals worth switching to, so knowing if you can change suppliers is crucial to cost saving. Unless you are on a ‘bills included’ rental package – where your landlord pays the property’s gas and electricity bill – tenants can switch suppliers as they wish.

You’ll know if you pay the bill as it will be your name and address on the account. If you’re still unsure, feel free to ask us and we’ll check your tenancy agreement. We’ll also confirm whether the landlord may have a ‘preferred supplier’.

Can I get paid to use energy at night?

Many tenants are asking us about this initiative, which has been tested but isn’t live yet. The National Grid plan to give people a discount on their bill if they switch to using electricity at off-peak times, taking pressure off the network. Renters wanting to benefit from this scheme, if and when it goes live, should contact their electricity supplier and ask to register for the Demand Flexibility Service.

Can I demand my landlord make energy saving changes?

Although tenants can’t insist their landlord make energy saving changes, minimum EPC standards were introduced in the UK to ensure every private rental sector property meets minimum energy efficiency standards. This makes many tenanted homes cheaper to power and heat than those in the owner-occupier market.

Can I, as a tenant, make my own energy saving changes?

Tenants in England and Wales can request to make their own energy saving changes to a rented property – at their own cost – as detailed in Part Two of the Energy Efficiency (Private Rented Property) (England and Wales) Regulations 2015.<
The document states: ‘The tenants’ energy efficiency improvements provisions mean that, subject to certain requirements and exemptions, from 1st April 2016, where a tenant requests their landlord’s consent to making energy efficiency improvements to the landlord’s property, the landlord may not unreasonably refuse consent.’

In Scotland, the Housing (Scotland) Act 2006 (Part 1, Chapter 7, Section 52) gives every private sector tenant ‘the rights to carry out work, either to make the house suitable for the accommodation, welfare or employment of any disabled person who occupies it as his or her only or main home, or relating to the installation of central heating and other energy efficiency measures under the Executive’s central heating programme or similar schemes promoted under the same powers. The exercise of this right requires the consent of the landlord, which must not be withheld except on reasonable grounds.’

If you’re a tenant with an energy efficiency question that’s not answered above, please contact our lettings team for advice.