Your home is your family's biggest asset.
Here's a simple, free way to keep watch over it.
There's a growing concern around title and deed fraud — where someone records a document against a property without the owner knowing. Los Angeles County offers a free program that alerts you the moment anything is recorded against your home. It takes about five minutes to set up. I'll walk you through it.
What the program actually does
The LA County Homeowner Alert Service (e‑Notification) lets you register your property so the county notifies you — by email, usually within 48 hours — anytime a document is recorded against it. A new deed, a loan, a lien, a foreclosure notice. If it hits the record, you know right away.
To be clear about what it is: this is an early-warning system, not a lock. It doesn't stop a document from being recorded — it makes sure you're never in the dark when one is, so you can act quickly if something looks wrong. That's exactly why it's worth the five minutes.
How to enroll your home
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1
Create a free account with the LA County Assessor
Head to the county's e‑Notification page and register a profile. During sign‑up, be sure to select Opt‑In for AIN / Recorded Document email notification. This is a one‑time setup — you won't have to re‑register.
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2
Open "Property Owner e‑Notification Alerts"
Once you're logged in, select the e‑Notification option on the portal to register your property.
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3
Enter your APN and click "Add"
Type in your property's APN (Assessor's Parcel Number — the county also calls it your AIN) and add it. That's it. You'll begin receiving alerts on that property.
Where to find your APN: it's printed on your annual property tax bill, or you can look it up with the Assessor's Property Search tool. You can add more than one property — including an elderly parent's or an adult child's home.
You'll be alerted if any of these are recorded
- 01 A transfer of title — a grant deed or quitclaim deed
- 02 A new loan or refinance — a deed of trust
- 03 A lien recorded against the property
- 04 A notice of default or notice of sale (early foreclosure activity)
You may have seen ads for paid "title lock" subscriptions. This county program does the core thing those services promise — monitoring and alerts — for free. And as a homeowner, you're already protected by your title insurance policy. My advice: enroll in the free program, keep your title policy, and skip the monthly fee.
Ready to set it up?
Here's the official LA County sign‑up page. Enroll your home, then send me a note so I know you're covered — I'm always happy to help you find your APN or walk through it together.
Enroll on the LA County site → Free · One‑time setup · Run by the LA County Assessor's OfficeProtecting your home isn't only about buying and selling it well — it's about the quiet things in between, too. This is one of those. If you have questions about your property, your title, or anything on your mind about your next move, my door is always open.