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Property: Foreign Investment in UK

Asked by Sir John HayesConservativeMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled Answered 16 January 2026UIN 104150

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether HM Land Registry has a duty to report if property in the UK is purchased by other nation states.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook

HM Land Registry records show that The People’s Republic of China is the registered proprietor of 58 registered titles in England and Wales.

Two further titles are registered in the name of The Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China, and four titles are registered in the name of The National Tourism Administration of the People's Republic of China.

Although HM Land Registry does not have a formal duty to report new acquisitions of UK land registered in the name of foreign states, this information is held by HM Land Registry and can be accessed where required by government and others subject to the general law relating to data protection and freedom of information.

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