A Luton reverend has finally regained ownership of his home after nearly four years of legal battles following a shocking case of property fraud.
Mike Hall, a homeowner and clergyman, lost his house in 2021 when scammers stole his identity and unsuspecting homebuyers bought the home from the fraudsters.
After a prolonged legal struggle, he successfully reclaimed the house – only to discover that squatters had moved in under a bogus rental agreement.
Fraudulent sale leaves homeowner in legal limbo
Reverend Mike Hall of Luton has finally regained possession of his home after a gruelling four-year battle against identity theft, property fraud, and illegal occupation.
The ordeal began in 2021 when Mr Hall, while working in North Wales, received a shocking call from neighbours about strangers in his home. Upon returning, he discovered that an impostor had stolen his identity and sold his house for £131,000.
Using fake documents, including a fraudulent driving licence and a bank account in Mr Hall’s name, the scammers carried out the transaction without his knowledge. By the time he arrived, the new owner had already started renovations, leaving Mr Hall locked out of his own home.
"I tried my key in the front door, it didn't work, and a man opened the front door to me," Mr Hall recalled. "The shock of seeing the house completely stripped of furniture - everything was out of the property - was just unbelievable."
Victory in court, but more trouble follows
After two years of legal struggles, the Land Registry restored Mr Hall as the rightful homeowner.
But in 2023, when he finally returned to reclaim the house, another shock awaited him - a family was living there under a fake rental agreement. The tenants, unaware of the fraud, had been paying rent to an unknown party.
"When I went back, I found that the locks had been changed again," said Mr Hall. "I knocked on the door, and nobody replied, but I could hear movement inside. The lights and the television were on – it was clear that someone was living there."
Luton County Court Judge Elaine Vignoli ruled in favour of Mr Hall on 11 March 2025, granting him full possession of his home and ordering the occupants to vacate within 14 days.
Although relieved, Mr Hall admitted feeling sympathy for the family. "I am quite sad that [they] now have to find a new home," he said. "They were also victims of this fraudulent scheme, just as I was."
However, his frustration with the legal system remained. "Justice has been done, but it has taken far too long," he stated. "The process should be much quicker to prevent others from going through the same ordeal."
Reverend now faces further struggle to get insurance after ordeal
Despite his legal victory, Mr Hall now faces new challenges. With insurance companies refusing to cover his home due to the squatter issue, and the costs of repairs mounting, his fight is far from over.
"I'm back to square one," he admitted. "I just wanted to get the house back in order and move on from this saga, but now I’m in another legal battle."
His case serves as a stark warning to homeowners about the risks of title fraud and the importance of safeguarding property records. "If it can happen to me, it can happen to anyone," Mr Hall said. "We need better protections in place to stop criminals from stealing people's homes."
