My property is not for sale so why did a solicitor conduct a search?

[BeeCucumber]

I’ve had a notification from the Land Registry that states a local solicitor has conducted a search on my property. My house is not for sale. Any idea why this has happened?

I would assume they are checking to see who own it. Is there a chance anyone could be looking at taking legal action against you for something related to your property (fallen branch?) or could someone potentially be interested in buying it and wanting to check further information? They could also be looking to see if you have a debt charge or looking at assets for child maintenance etc.

Any of your neighbours selling? Can be needed to check rights of way and easements.

It’s also possible the solicitor is checking the wrong property.

i’d have to phone and ask. im too nosey.

Anyone can do a land registry search of any property. There may be a builder or someone else interested in possibly buying it and they wanted to check who to approach.

As someone else has said do you have the right of way over someone else's land or similar as it is possible they are selling and the buyer wants to ask you direct how it works in person.

Alternatively do you have any outstanding judgment debts? They may be searching to see whether you own the property to apply for a charging order against you.

Have you signed up for Land Registry alerts?
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/property-alert

You don't get notified of a 'search'. So I'm not sure what you are referring to.

The link above has a good example of a fraudulent application for a mortgage on a property and how to contact land registry fraud teams.

If you are not talking about land registry alerts then I would be suspicious of a scam. What does the email say?

The email from HM Land Registry states an application (not a search - apologies) from a solicitor has been lodged on the land that I own in front of my house.

I'd contact them and ask.

What sort of application? Is the land unused? It could be an adverse possession? But that only gets granted under very strict conditions?

Could be lots of reasons including someone messing up somewhere and putting the application in for the wrong thing. Just ring and ask.

Why would LR have your email address? Sounds like a scam

that’s a bit of a drip feed in terms of info there that this doesn’t relate to your house - land is valuable so it’s entirely plausible a local developer is looking into who might own it maybe for a potential approach or even council if they need it for highways widening or something

They would have it if you had registered for property alerts.

Do you have any overgrown trees or hedges that are blocking the pavement. We had an odd situation where my FIL hadn’t sold the front strip of land with a house he built and when the council wanted the overgrown trees that were blocking the pavement cut back it came back to us (a business).

you can register with them to be told if anyone puts in certain applications against your property. The OP says she has registered.

Thanks everyone. I will contact the Land Registry and ask.

they may not be able to answer, I'd ask the solicitor.

It's the solicitor you need to ask.

Fraud prevention means putting your email address as one of your contacts is a recommended approach. If you sign up for property alerts these are sent to the email address provided.

I will contact the solicitor - thanks again.

Might be neighbours planning work and a party wall award is needed. So they need to check ownership.

Its a service they provide so you can keep an eye on exactly this situation, it doesn't sound like a scam in the slightest, you literally sign up with your email address

What is it an application for @BeeCucumber ? The LR alert would normally say e.g. a charge, priority for a registration etc?

My friend and I went through a phase of trying to find out (sometimes via land registry) who owned unused pieces of land large enough for grazing to ask if we could rent it for the horses. Equestrian land is in short supply in many parts of the country so if the land at the front of your house is suitable it may attract equestrian prospectors like us.

The email said “ The activity details are - Application lodged by name of solicitor “ .