Property title fraud has surged by 78% in the past 12 months, marking the biggest annual rise in fraudulent property activity for over two decades, according to analysis of HM Land Registry data by Open Property Group.
The sharp increase, driven by identity theft, forged documents and weaknesses in digital systems, has seen £27 million in property value illegally transferred in 2024 alone.
Experts warn that thousands of properties across the UK are now at risk, with landlords, overseas owners and elderly homeowners in care the most frequent victims.
HM Land Registry data reveals that 86% of fraud victims were absent owners. Criminals typically target properties with high levels of equity or no mortgage, completing fraudulent sales before the rightful owners become aware.
LEGAL BATTLES
In many cases, victims only realise they have been defrauded when they attempt to sell, remortgage or update their title records — by which point legal battles are already under way.
Jason Harris-Cohen, Managing Director of Open Property Group, says: “This sharp rise in title fraud is a wake-up call for every property owner in the UK.
“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.”
PROPERTY ALERT SERVICE
And he adds: “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.
“With property fraud rising at an alarming rate, homeowners across the UK, particularly landlords and absentee owners, are being urged to take immediate steps to safeguard their properties before it’s too late.”
DIGITAL SAFEGUARDS
The number of properties flagged by the Land Registry’s Property Alert service – a free tool designed to notify owners of suspicious activity – rose 46% year-on-year in 2024, to over 3,200 cases.
For those affected, the consequences can be severe. Fraud cases typically take between nine and 18 months to resolve, with legal fees often exceeding £30,000. Just one in five victims regain ownership without resorting to court action.
Industry experts are now calling for a broader adoption of digital safeguards, greater awareness of the risks among landlords, and increased use of the Property Alert service.
Meanwhile, some are pushing for mandatory notification requirements for changes to legal title and tougher checks on identity verification across the property conveyancing system.
