What are Property Rights?

People acquire property by nature, they live on property, work on property and make a living on it.
Three quarters of the world’s population do not have property rights.
Most people cannot proof ownership on the land they fund, or a house they live in.
A title deed is a viable and recognised way for people to have a real legal ownership on their property.
Title deed provides people with proof of ownership on their house, or farms and this will guard against any deprivation or intrusion on people’s private property.
Through title deed people can transact and exercise right and entitlements over their property.
Without a title deed, no valid legal ownership and protection exist.
In Africa 90% of land is undocumented. This mean there is no valid title and individual rights on these lands, and in most cases the state has more rights on these lands.
Families might have found and lived on these lands for centuries, but they may be at risk of losing these lands since there is no title over it.
In some parts of the world it is even tougher, women cannot own land or even inherit property.
Despite producing half of the world’s food, women own less than 20% of land.
A problem is not just about farmland or forest, this is also happening in some of the world’s fast-growing cities.
In India, most people without title deed or tenure are losing their homes as they are bulldozed in the name of development.
Property rights are incredibly important.
When people can prove ownership, they have security and the chance to invest in their future.
Communities with property rights are stronger, healthier, wealthier and better educated.
It’s all about “place’: property, land, access, connections, and empowerment.
Land rights are the most important human rights.