New York’s Renewed Fight Against Property Deed Theft Confronts Key Challenges
New York state made deed theft formally illegal in 2023, but prosecuting cases remains difficult, with 517 complaints in 2025 alone. The red-hot New York City housing market is driving the increase in deed thefts, with criminals targeting single-family homes for major payouts.
New York's fight against property deed theft faces challenges despite being made formally illegal in 2023. The state's housing market, particularly in New York City, is driving the increase in deed thefts. From 2013 to 2023, about 3,500 deed theft complaints were filed, with 517 complaints in 2025. Deed theft involves a fraudster taking a property's title through illegal means. The high value of New York City housing makes single-family homes a target for criminals. In November 2024, Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez secured a conviction against Sanford Solny, who was sentenced to up to seven years in prison for stealing 11 homes. New York State still allows shell corporations to own property without disclosing beneficial owners, hindering efforts to curb deed theft.
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