Guide

Is the person renting this to me really the owner?

If you're renting privately, a title search shows the registered owner's name, so you can check it matches the person asking for your bond. Do it before you hand over any money.

See the exact lot and title before you pay. No title, no charge.

A renter checking details on a phone and laptop in an apartment

How do I check my landlord owns the property?

Order a title search for the rental's address. It shows the registered owners' full names. Compare them with the name on the landlord's photo ID and on the lease.

In Victoria, WA, SA and the NT, the title also prints an address for the owner, which you can compare with the landlord's address on the lease. Titles are public, so you don't need the landlord's permission to search.

What if the names don't match?

A different name isn't always a problem. Common, legitimate reasons:

A property manager or agent rents it out for the owner. Check the agency independently, not through contact details the person gave you.
The owner is a company or a trust. The title shows the company or the trustee. The person you're dealing with should be able to show they act for it.
A head tenant is subletting a room. That can be legitimate, but they aren't the owner, and the agreement should say so.
A relative manages it for an owner who lives elsewhere.

If none of these fits, or the person won't explain, treat it as a warning sign and don't pay anything until it checks out.

What other checks should I do before paying?

Inspect the property in person, inside, before you pay anything.
In most states the landlord must lodge your bond with a government bond authority, and you should get confirmation from that authority. Ask how and where it will be lodged.
Be wary of cash-only requests, gift cards, or pressure to pay before you've seen the place or signed a lease.
Get a written lease, and check the landlord's name on it against the title.
If something feels wrong, your state's tenancy authority or a tenants' advice service can help.

What won't the title tell me?

The title shows owners, mortgages and caveats. It doesn't show whether the owner has authorised an agent to rent the property out, whether it's approved or safe to live in, or how to contact the owner. No title shows phone numbers or emails, and we don't provide them.

A title proves who owns the property. It doesn't prove the person in front of you is that owner, which is why the photo ID check matters.

Which option fits a landlord check?

The Title search is all you need: the owner's name, their address for service in four states, and the one-page summary in most states. Skip the Full Report unless you're also thinking of buying.

Check who owns the rental

Common questions

Can I check who owns a rental property?

Yes. Titles are public, so anyone can order a title search for any address and see the registered owners.

The title shows a different name from my landlord. Is it a scam?

Not necessarily. Agents, companies, trusts and head tenants all rent out places that aren't in their own name. Ask for an explanation, and don't pay until it checks out.

Does the title show the owner's address?

In Victoria, WA, SA and the NT, yes, as an address for service. In NSW, Queensland, Tasmania and the ACT it shows names only.

What if the property is owned by a company?

The title shows the company's name. An ASIC company extract lists its directors, so you can ask your landlord to show they're one of them or act for the company.

Is a title search enough to prove my landlord is genuine?

It proves who owns the property, not that the person you're dealing with is that owner. Check their photo ID against the name on the title too.