Legal Definitions - slander of title

Slander of title refers to a false statement, made either verbally or in writing, that intentionally questions or undermines another person's legal ownership of property. This type of statement can cause financial harm by making it difficult for the true owner to sell, lease, or otherwise use their property.

Here are some examples to illustrate this concept:

• Imagine a homeowner is trying to sell their house. A disgruntled former neighbor, out of spite, starts telling potential buyers that the homeowner doesn't actually own the entire backyard, claiming a portion belongs to them due to an old, unrecorded agreement. This is a slander of title because the neighbor is making a false statement (the homeowner legally owns the entire backyard) that casts doubt on the homeowner's clear ownership, potentially scaring off buyers and causing financial loss.

• Consider a situation where a person inherits a vacation home after their parent passes away. An estranged relative, who was disinherited, begins telling local real estate agents and potential renters that the will is fraudulent and, therefore, the heir's ownership is invalid. This constitutes slander of title because the relative's false claims (that the will is fraudulent and ownership invalid) are made orally and directly challenge the heir's legal title to the vacation home, making it difficult for the heir to sell or rent the property.

• A commercial developer legally purchases a large parcel of land for a new shopping center. A rival developer, aiming to disrupt the project, anonymously publishes flyers and posts online comments falsely stating that the land is subject to an ancient tribal claim and cannot be developed. This is an example of slander of title because the rival developer's actions involve false statements (about the tribal claim) made in writing that create doubt about the legal right of the developer to own and build on the property, potentially delaying or derailing the project and causing significant financial harm.