Why Is A Chain Of Title So Important? 

07/06/2026 11:27 AM       Mark Goodman

Imagine living in your home or running your commercial business for decades, only to get a letter in the mail one day claiming that you are not the rightful owner of the property. Even though you’re currently paying the mortgage and have lived there for years, there’s a very real possibility that someone else could have a legitimate claim to your property. 

Perhaps a long lost relative named in a will was discovered, or maybe the property was non-compliantly sold during the course of a divorce. Perhaps someone simply shows up with a realistic looking forgery of the property’s title, and it becomes the court’s decision to determine rightful ownership. In these situations, having a clear chain of title is incredibly important. Below, we take a closer look at the chain of title and how to ensure there aren’t any potential issues with the chain that could cause problems for you down the road. 

A chain of title is essentially a legal record of the property in question. Even if you built a new construction on the property, you’re likely not the first person to own the land it was built on, and the chain of title will explain exactly how property ownership has transferred hands over the years. 

The goal of the chain of title is to provide clear proof as to who controls an ownership interest in a property. Transfers and sales are clearly recorded, and any errors in this title chain will need to be rectified, otherwise your property is at risk. Even something as small as a spelling error or typo can call into question the validity of your ownership, so you’ll want to ensure all documentation related to the chain of title is accurate and up to date. 

To verify a correct chain of title, you’ll often work with a title services company. They’ll conduct what’s known as a title search, which will involve a thorough investigation of a number of different aspects related to the property. They’ll look at property records, liens, boundaries, surveys, title records and check for the existence of easements, encroachments or other encumbrances that could serve to cloud your title. Any discovered issues will need to be rectified by the buyer or the seller prior to closing to ensure the chain of title remains clear. 

The chain of title is typically investigated when: 

• Buying a property 

• Selling a property 

• Inheriting a property 

• Gifting a property 

• Title validity is called into question 

If you’re doing any of the above, ensure the chain of title remains clean by working with a title services company like Commercial Partners. We’ll investigate the property, verify all recorded public records and make sure any potential issues are resolved prior to closing so that nobody can question your chain of title. For more information on how we can assist with proving a chain of title or any other part of the commercial property acquisition process, give Commercial Partners a call today at (612) 337-2470.