New Homeowners Beware

One of the most common examples we see involves letters offering to provide a copy of your recorded deed or a “property assessment report” for a substantial fee—often $125 or more. These letters are not required, not helpful, and not sent by the county or the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

If you recently purchased a home and received something like this in the mail, here’s what you should know.

What These Letters Typically Say

These mailings are carefully designed to look important. Common features include:

• Your name and property address
• A reference to a “Recorded Deed,” “Grant Deed,” or “Property Records”
• A deadline urging you to “respond by” a certain date
• Language about verifying ownership or protecting your property
• A service or processing fee (often $125–$130)
• Fine‑print disclaimers stating the sender is not affiliated with the government

Some letters emphasize that they will obtain “the only document that identifies you as the property owner,” or that you must act quickly to secure a copy of your deed.

While these statements may sound serious, they are misleading at best.

The Truth: You Do Not Need This Service in Massachusetts

In Massachusetts:

• Your deed is already recorded at the Registry of Deeds when you buy your home
• Your ownership is legally secure without taking any further action
• You are not required to purchase a copy of your recorded deed from a private company

In fact, most buyers already receive a copy of their deed as part of the closing process. Even if you don’t have one on hand, you can easily obtain it directly from the county Registry of Deeds, usually online and for a nominal fee—often just a few dollars.

There is no legal requirement to purchase a deed copy, property profile, or assessment report from a mail‑order company after closing.

Why These Solicitations Are Misleading

Although these companies often include disclaimers stating “this is not a bill” or “not affiliated with any government agency,” those statements are typically buried in fine print.

The overall presentation is intentionally designed to:

• Mimic official government notices
• Create a false sense of urgency
• Suggest that your ownership is incomplete or at risk
• Target new homeowners, when deed recordings are public and easy to track

Importantly, these companies are simply repackaging public information that is already available to you—often at many times the actual cost.

Are These Letters Illegal?

Not necessarily—but that does not mean they are appropriate or ethical.

Many of these mailers rely on technical compliance disclaimers to avoid violating consumer protection laws. However, the Massachusetts Attorney General and consumer advocacy organizations have long warned buyers to be cautious of solicitations that:

• Use government‑style formatting
• Imply legal necessity without saying so directly
• Charge excessive fees for freely available public records

What You Should Do If You Receive One

If you receive a letter offering to obtain your deed or property records for a fee:

1. Do not send payment
2. Do not assume it is required or time‑sensitive
3. Check the fine print—you will usually find admissions that it is a solicitation
4. Contact your closing attorney if you are unsure
5. If you need a deed copy, visit your local Registry of Deeds website directly

How to Get a Copy of Your Deed the Right Way

In Massachusetts, you can obtain your recorded deed by:

• Visiting your county Registry of Deeds website
• Searching by name, address, or document number
• Downloading a copy—often the same day—for a minimal recording fee

This direct route is faster, cheaper, and avoids third‑party markups entirely.

Receiving mail like this can be confusing—especially shortly after closing, when everything still feels unfamiliar. Remember:

• Your deed is already recorded
• Your ownership is already protected
• You are not missing anything—and you do not need to respond

If you ever have questions about documents you receive after your purchase, contact our office. A quick review can save you time, money, and unnecessary stress.