UK (Parliament Politics Magazine) – UK foreign property ownership increases, led by China’s 41% surge, raising concerns over Beijing’s role following the collapse of a Chinese spy trial.
As reported by The Telegraph, China emerges as the fastest-growing investor in UK property amid rising foreign ownership.
What did the data reveal about Chinese investment in UK property?
Recent data show that foreign nationals’ UK property holdings climbed from 186,403 in 2021 to 201,899 by August 2025. This represents an 8.3% increase, with 15,000 additional titles added over the period.
The number of UK property titles held by mainland Chinese buyers surged 41%, adding 3,398 titles over the same period.
Figures show Hong Kong residents continue to be the largest group of overseas owners, boosting their property count by 4,512 titles during the period.
According to HM Land Registry numbers, revealed under Freedom of Information, overseas owners now hold 27,845 properties across England and Wales.
HM Land Registry figures show Israeli-owned UK properties rose by 674 titles, marking a 30.7% increase from 2,194, following post-October 7 Middle East tensions.
US nationals increased their UK property holdings by 1,926 titles, bringing the total to 13,731. London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan attributed the rise in Americans applying for UK citizenship to Donald Trump’s election.
UAE buyers expanded their UK property holdings by 1,189 titles, reaching 11,879, reflecting the region’s continued demand for long-term investments.
The number of UK properties owned by Turks rose 47% to 1,303, while Nigerian investors saw holdings grow by over 25% during the same period.
The data, combining freehold and leasehold titles by country, highlight ongoing international interest in UK property, particularly in London and other urban areas.
The increase in international property ownership continues despite new rules targeting non-resident buyers.
New figures show expanding foreign interest in the UK, with East Asian and Middle Eastern investors increasingly prominent. The overall economic impact of foreign investment in UK real estate is under review, but demand shows British property remains a safe long-term asset.
Chinese spy case in the UK
UK property figures come as debate grows over China’s role in UK affairs, following the failed espionage case against Christopher Cash and Christopher Berry.
The charges against them was dropped in September 2025 after the government failed to provide evidence linking China to a UK security threat.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer faced scrutiny after releasing a statement from deputy security adviser Matthew Collins, which included a line from the Labour manifesto
The Labour leader said,
“So it wasn’t this government’s position, it was the Tory government before’s position. Now, that’s not a political to and fro, that’s a matter of law.”
Mr Starmer stated,
“You have to prosecute people on the basis of the circumstances at the time of the alleged offence. And so all the focus needs to be on the policy of the Tory government in place then.”
Tory MPs claim the trial was undermined to appease Beijing, and say including Labour’s policy in the statement shows political interference.
Kemi Badenoch accused Keir Starmer of misleading the public about the events, adding,
“The charges were brought under us, the case collapsed under them. Can the prime minister tell us what changed and what collapsed the case?”
Tories also plan to block the Chagos Islands deal. They claim this could allow China to establish a strategic intelligence-gathering presence in the Indian Ocean.
The Chinese Embassy in the UK stated,
“We have emphasised from the outset that the allegation about China instructing the relevant British individuals to ‘steal British intelligence’ is entirely fabricated and malicious slander, which we firmly reject.”
They added,
“We urge certain individuals in the UK to stop this kind of self-staged anti-China political farce.”
