"What’s most alarming is that many people don’t even know they’ve been defrauded until months later"
- Jason Harris-Cohen - Open Property Group
Property title fraud has increased by 78% in the past 12 months, marking the most significant rise in such cases for over two decades, according to analysis by Open Property Group.
The sharp rise in fraudulent activity is putting thousands of homeowners at risk, particularly landlords, overseas owners, and those with unmonitored or unregistered titles. Many victims only discover the fraud after the property has already been illegally transferred or sold.
Land Registry data reveals a steep year-on-year rise in fraudulent activity involving forged documentation, identity theft, and digital system loopholes. Properties with no mortgage or high equity have become prime targets, with £27 million in property value illegally transferred in 2024 alone.
The data also shows that 86% of victims were absent owners, including landlords, overseas investors, and elderly homeowners in care. These owners often fail to regularly check the legal title or respond to official correspondence, making them particularly vulnerable.
“This sharp rise in title fraud is a wake-up call for every property owner in the UK,” said Jason Harris-Cohen, managing director of Open Property Group. “Criminals are targeting properties that appear vulnerable, especially vacant buy-to-lets, inherited homes, and unregistered titles. What’s most alarming is that many people don’t even know they’ve been defrauded until months later. At Open Property Group, we’ve seen increasing numbers of sellers coming to us after discovering serious issues with their title or ownership.”
He stressed the need for proactive action to prevent future incidents.
“Every homeowner should be using the Land Registry’s Property Alert service, securing their deeds digitally, and staying vigilant, especially landlords with empty or tenanted properties. Prevention is cheaper than litigation, and the risk is no longer hypothetical.”
The scale and complexity of property title fraud make recovery a long and costly process. The number of properties flagged for suspicious activity through the Land Registry’s Property Alert Service rose by 46% year-on-year in 2024, with over 3,200 alerts issued.
Once a case is discovered, legal proceedings typically take between 9 and 18 months to resolve. Many owners face legal costs exceeding £30,000, with only one in five managing to recover full ownership without going to court.
In light of the findings, property experts are urging all owners, particularly landlords and absent owners, to enrol in the Land Registry’s free alert service and ensure their property records are kept up to date. Failing to act could result in long-term financial and legal consequences.
