Based on 2025 reports, Indian nationals and NRIs have emerged as the largest group of foreign property investors in London, surpassing English buyers in the capital's market. While they lead in London investment, 70% of Indian-origin households in the UK are homeowners, closely matching the 68% rate for White British households nationally.
Recent reports indicate that Indians have become the largest group of property owners in London, surpassing the native English population. This trend includes Indian-origin UK residents, non-resident Indians, foreign investors, students, and families relocating for various reasons.
The White British ethnic group has the highest rate of homeownership in the UK, followed closely by the Indian ethnic group, with both showing high percentages of households owning their own homes, while Indian households also show high overall property ownership, especially in London, alongside high education and professional attainment. Data consistently shows White British and Indian communities leading in homeownership, though other groups like Pakistani also show high rates compared to Black African or Mixed ethnic groups.
The government (together with its QUANGOs) is the biggest land owner by area, the Forestry Commission owning some 2,200,000 acres (890,000 ha), the MoD 1,101,851 acres (445,903 ha), the Crown Estate 678,420 acres (274,550 ha), DEFRA 116,309 acres (47,069 ha) and Homes England 19,349 acres (7,830 ha).
What percentage of the Indian population owns a house?
National average stands at 86.6%. In States, Sikkim have lowest home ownership 64.5%. In union territory, Daman & Diu have lowest home ownership with 38.3%.
You Bought The House... But You Don't Own The Land? (The 'Fleecehold' Scam)
What percentage of Brits own a house?
Overall home ownership (the percentage of households who owned their accommodation outright or with a mortgage, loan or shared ownership) was higher in Wales (66.4%) than in England (62.3%). Home ownership decreased slightly in both nations since 2011 (from 67.8% in Wales and 64.1% in England).
Lying at the core of adverse possession criteria under Indian law is the 12-year rule. Under Article 65 of the Limitation Act, if someone is in physical possession of private property for twelve years continuously and adversely to the owner, they can claim ownership.
Drawing a parallel with its colonial history, social media users said at least Indians did it “legally”. A recent report by a leading London property developer, Barratt London, revealed that Indians have become London's largest property owners, surpassing native British residents.
Indian origin households lead as the UK's wealthiest ethnic group, as per a report by LSE, with median wealth jumping from £93,000 from 2012/14 to 2021/23—outpacing others through hard work, homeownership and smart investments.
In 2023, the rate of homeownership among White people living in the United States was 74.3 percent. Comparatively, 45.7 percent of Black people owned a home in the same year.
British Indians form the largest minority ethno-national group in London with a population of around 656,272 or 7.5% of the population. The majority are concentrated in West and North-west London (in the boroughs of Harrow, Hillingdon, Hounslow and Brent), though populations can be found throughout London.
The White British ethnic group has the highest rate of homeownership in the UK, followed closely by the Indian ethnic group, with both showing high percentages of households owning their own homes, while Indian households also show high overall property ownership, especially in London, alongside high education and professional attainment. Data consistently shows White British and Indian communities leading in homeownership, though other groups like Pakistani also show high rates compared to Black African or Mixed ethnic groups.
Following the Second World War and the breakup of the British Empire, Indian migration to the UK increased through the 1950s and 1960s. This was partly due to the British Nationality Act 1948, which enabled migration from the Commonwealth with very few limits.
🏠🇬🇧 London calling 💼 Indians and other foreign nationals can legally purchase property in the United Kingdom, including London, making it an option for investment or vacation homes. Here's how you can invest in property in London 🏙️ Would you invest abroad or focus on real estate at home?
According to Land Registry data, nearly 190,000 properties in England and Wales are owned by overseas buyers. Add in foreign companies, and the figure rises to at least 280,000. In London, around 2% of homes are foreign-owned, but in Westminster it's 13%, and 11% in Kensington and Chelsea.
Unclaimed land in the UK refers mostly to unregistered land, often held by families, the Church, or the Crown for generations, not truly ownerless, but without Land Registry details. You can potentially claim it through adverse possession, by occupying it exclusively (e.g., fencing it off) without permission for 10-12 years (registered/unregistered land) and applying to the Land Registry, proving your long-term, open possession. While there's no simple map, online resources map unregistered areas, and you'll need diligent investigation, documentation (photos, receipts), and potentially legal help to prove your claim.
The United Kingdom has a highly efficient and strong social security system, which comprises roughly 24.5% of GDP. The service sector dominates, contributing 82% of GDP; the financial services industry is particularly important, and London is the second-largest financial centre in the world.
The largest entity owning and managing land in the UK is the Forestry Commission (Forestry and Land Scotland, Forestry England and Natural Resources Wales) – with some 890,000 hectares under its control.
Mr Hinduja and his family topped the most recent Sunday Times Rich List with a net worth of £35.3bn. They also ranked 11th on the Forbes list of India's 100 richest businesspeople in 2024. Mr Hinduja was the second eldest of four brothers who controlled the business for decades.
Since the end of World War II, Southall has become largely a South Asian residential district, sometimes known as "Little India". In addition, the signs on the main railway station are bilingual in English and Gurmukhi, which is one of the written scripts of Punjabi.
There are also no restrictions in relation to the number of property one can own in India, provided you do it legally and could also show sufficient proof of income or financial means, when asked by the taxman.
There is no codified legal concept of “squatter's rights” under Indian property law. Squatting—unlawfully occupying someone else's property—is not recognized as a right. In fact, such occupation is typically considered illegal unless it ripens into a valid claim of adverse possession through strict legal conditions.
Ancestral property is equally divided among all coparceners, including sons and daughters, based on succession laws. Partition ensures each legal heir receives their rightful, independent share of the property.
