Story perspectives

£190 Billion in UK Properties Hidden from Authorities

1/30/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Foreign owners concealed beneficiaries of nearly 45,000 UK properties worth £190 billion, violating anti-corruption laws.
Economic Crime Act 2022 requires overseas companies to register with Companies House, but compliance remains low.
Only 3% of fines have been collected.
The share of properties without declared beneficial owners rose from 9.1% to 19.2% in a year.
Saudi Arabia has 92.9% non-compliance, and the government will review the register to improve transparency.

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Story summary

Foreign owners concealed beneficiaries of nearly 45,000 UK properties worth £190 billion, violating anti-corruption laws.
Economic Crime Act 2022 requires overseas companies to register with Companies House, but compliance remains low.
Only 3% of fines have been collected.
The share of properties without declared beneficial owners rose from 9.1% to 19.2% in a year.
Saudi Arabia has 92.9% non-compliance, and the government will review the register to improve transparency.