How to Find Out Who Owns a Property
The land registry has the answer. In the US, search the county assessor or recorder's website for the address; most are free. In Canada, land titles are provincial: OnLand in Ontario and LTSA in British Columbia, each for a fee. In England and Wales, HM Land Registry sells the title register for £7, and it names the owner.
Methods, step by step
- Find the official office. Search the county name plus "assessor property search" (US), or go straight to OnLand (Ontario), LTSA (British Columbia) or HM Land Registry (England and Wales). Check the address ends in .gov, .gov.uk, .ca or is the registry's own domain. Look-alike sites charge for records that are free.
- Search by address or parcel number (US). Assessor sites usually let you search by address, owner name or parcel ID. A parcel or folio number from a tax bill or listing is the most reliable. Open the parcel record.
- Read the record. You'll usually see the owner of record, a mailing address for tax bills, the assessed value, the land use and the sales history. For proof of legal ownership, check the latest deed at the county recorder or register of deeds; the grantee on the newest deed is the owner.
- In Ontario, use OnLand. Pick the Land Registry Office by typing the city or town into the LRO search on the home page. Then search by address, PIN or map and buy the parcel register, which names the registered owner.
- In England and Wales, use HM Land Registry's service. Sign in to Search for land and property information on GOV.UK. A property summary is free. The title register costs £7 and shows the owner, the price last paid and whether there's a mortgage. The title plan is also £7. Official copies, for proof in a court case, are £11 each by post.
- If a company or trust owns it, look that up next. See how to look up a business.
Example walkthrough
An empty house next door
Illustrative example. The names, numbers and details are invented placeholders, not a real person or case.
The house at "12 Example Lane" in a US county has been empty for a year and the garden is overgrown. On the county assessor site, an address search shows the owner of record as "Example Holdings LLC" with a tax-bill mailing address in another state. A state business search for the LLC gives a registered agent. You write a polite letter to the mailing address. If the overgrowth breaks a local rule, you also report it to the city's code enforcement office, which will contact the owner.
United States
Property records are kept by counties. The assessor's office handles valuations and usually has a free online search showing the owner. The recorder or register of deeds holds deeds and mortgages. Some counties show a tax-bill mailing address, which is often the owner's actual home.
Canada
Land registration is provincial. In Ontario, OnLand lets you search by address, PIN or map, then buy a parcel register showing the registered owner. In British Columbia, the LTSA sells title searches. Both charge per document, and fees change, so check the current price before ordering.
United Kingdom
In England and Wales, HM Land Registry gives a free property summary, and the title register or title plan costs £7. The register names the owner and any mortgage lender. Scotland uses the Registers of Scotland, and Northern Ireland has its own land registry. Not all land is registered, especially land that hasn't changed hands in decades.
Common dead ends, and why they fail
- Look-alike "property records" sites. Many charge for an owner name the county shows free, and their data can lag behind the county.
- Owner hidden behind an LLC or trust. The record shows the entity's name. Some states' business registers don't list LLC owners, only a registered agent.
- Tenants. Land records name owners, not the people living there.
- Unregistered land (England and Wales). Land that hasn't changed hands for a long time may not be registered, so there's no title to buy.
- Counties that hide owner names online. Some do. Search the recorder's deed index or visit the office instead.
What if nothing works
- Ask your neighbours, or ask the council or city. For an empty or dangerous building, they often already know the owner and will contact them.
- Leave a letter at the property addressed to "The Owner". It may be forwarded.
- For a purchase or a legal dispute, a title company, conveyancer or real estate lawyer can run a full title search.
What people search for on this topic
"Free", "map" and "app" dominate, followed by states (California, Florida, Texas, Indiana, NJ) and cities (NYC, Milwaukee). People want to point at a parcel on a map and see a name, which many county GIS sites offer.
UK and Ireland variants appear in the question form ("can you find out who owns a property in the uk / in ireland").
"Near me" suggests some searchers are looking at a specific empty or neglected building, where the local council is often the fastest route.
Google's top suggestions for who owns this property (US, captured October 12, 2026):
- who owns this property
- who owns this property free
- who owns this property free search
- who owns this property map
- who owns this property california
Autocomplete shows what people commonly type, not how many. There are no search volumes here. The method and the full capture are on our search demand page.
FAQ
Can I find a property owner for free?
In most of the US, yes, through the county assessor's website. In England and Wales the summary is free, but the title register that names the owner costs £7. Canadian provinces charge for title searches.
Why does the record show a company or trust?
Many properties are held by companies, trusts or landlords' holding firms. Look the company up in the business register to see its directors or officers.
Is the owner's address public?
Often the property address is all you get. Some US counties also show a mailing address for tax bills.
What if the land isn't registered?
In England and Wales some land has never been registered. The local council or neighbours are then your best leads.
What does the HM Land Registry title register show?
GOV.UK says it usually includes the title number, who owns the property, how much it was last sold for, whether there's a mortgage, and any restrictive covenants or easements. It costs £7 to download.
Is the assessor's owner the legal owner?
Usually, but the assessor's roll exists to send tax bills. For legal certainty, check the most recent recorded deed, or get a title search.
Related guides
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Sources
Facts checked October 12, 2026 against the official sources linked on this page. Laws and fees change; check the source before you rely on a detail.