diff --git a/Bukkit/src/main/java/com/github/intellectualsites/plotsquared/bukkit/commands/DebugUUID.java b/Bukkit/src/main/java/com/github/intellectualsites/plotsquared/bukkit/commands/DebugUUID.java
index 49d399da1..edd0db055 100644
--- a/Bukkit/src/main/java/com/github/intellectualsites/plotsquared/bukkit/commands/DebugUUID.java
+++ b/Bukkit/src/main/java/com/github/intellectualsites/plotsquared/bukkit/commands/DebugUUID.java
@@ -231,9 +231,9 @@ import java.util.UUID;
             MainUtil.sendMessage(player, "&7 - Updating plot objects");
 
             for (Plot plot : PlotSquared.get().getPlots()) {
-                UUID value = uCMap.get(plot.owner);
+                UUID value = uCMap.get(plot.getOwnerAbs());
                 if (value != null) {
-                    plot.owner = value;
+                    plot.setOwnerAbs(value);
                 }
                 plot.getTrusted().clear();
                 plot.getMembers().clear();
@@ -250,9 +250,9 @@ import java.util.UUID;
                 if (!result) {
                     MainUtil.sendMessage(player, "&cConversion failed! Attempting recovery");
                     for (Plot plot : PlotSquared.get().getPlots()) {
-                        UUID value = uCReverse.get(plot.owner);
+                        UUID value = uCReverse.get(plot.getOwnerAbs());
                         if (value != null) {
-                            plot.owner = value;
+                            plot.setOwnerAbs(value);
                         }
                     }
                     DBFunc.createPlotsAndData(new ArrayList<>(PlotSquared.get().getPlots()),
diff --git a/Core/src/main/java/com/github/intellectualsites/plotsquared/plot/PlotSquared.java b/Core/src/main/java/com/github/intellectualsites/plotsquared/plot/PlotSquared.java
index c909ccc1a..b87aa8a10 100644
--- a/Core/src/main/java/com/github/intellectualsites/plotsquared/plot/PlotSquared.java
+++ b/Core/src/main/java/com/github/intellectualsites/plotsquared/plot/PlotSquared.java
@@ -347,8 +347,8 @@ import java.util.zip.ZipInputStream;
                 UUIDHandler.add(new StringWrapper("*"), DBFunc.EVERYONE);
                 forEachPlotRaw(plot -> {
                     if (plot.hasOwner() && plot.temp != -1) {
-                        if (UUIDHandler.getName(plot.owner) == null) {
-                            UUIDHandler.implementation.unknown.add(plot.owner);
+                        if (UUIDHandler.getName(plot.getOwnerAbs()) == null) {
+                            UUIDHandler.implementation.unknown.add(plot.getOwnerAbs());
                         }
                     }
                 });
@@ -736,7 +736,7 @@ import java.util.zip.ZipInputStream;
         } else {
             list = new ArrayList<>(input);
         }
-        list.sort(Comparator.comparingLong(a -> ExpireManager.IMP.getTimestamp(a.owner)));
+        list.sort(Comparator.comparingLong(a -> ExpireManager.IMP.getTimestamp(a.getOwnerAbs())));
         return list;
     }
 
diff --git a/Core/src/main/java/com/github/intellectualsites/plotsquared/plot/commands/Auto.java b/Core/src/main/java/com/github/intellectualsites/plotsquared/plot/commands/Auto.java
index a04540168..dc896b2a5 100644
--- a/Core/src/main/java/com/github/intellectualsites/plotsquared/plot/commands/Auto.java
+++ b/Core/src/main/java/com/github/intellectualsites/plotsquared/plot/commands/Auto.java
@@ -138,7 +138,7 @@ public class Auto extends SubCommand {
             return;
         }
         whenDone.value = plot;
-        plot.owner = player.getUUID();
+        plot.setOwnerAbs(player.getUUID());
         DBFunc.createPlotSafe(plot, whenDone,
             () -> autoClaimFromDatabase(player, area, plot.getId(), whenDone));
     }
diff --git a/Core/src/main/java/com/github/intellectualsites/plotsquared/plot/commands/Buy.java b/Core/src/main/java/com/github/intellectualsites/plotsquared/plot/commands/Buy.java
index 1768ae7f3..0f2da6ae2 100644
--- a/Core/src/main/java/com/github/intellectualsites/plotsquared/plot/commands/Buy.java
+++ b/Core/src/main/java/com/github/intellectualsites/plotsquared/plot/commands/Buy.java
@@ -59,8 +59,8 @@ public class Buy extends Command {
         confirm.run(this, () -> {
             Captions.REMOVED_BALANCE.send(player, price);
             EconHandler.manager
-                .depositMoney(UUIDHandler.getUUIDWrapper().getOfflinePlayer(plot.owner), price);
-            PlotPlayer owner = UUIDHandler.getPlayer(plot.owner);
+                .depositMoney(UUIDHandler.getUUIDWrapper().getOfflinePlayer(plot.getOwnerAbs()), price);
+            PlotPlayer owner = UUIDHandler.getPlayer(plot.getOwnerAbs());
             if (owner != null) {
                 Captions.PLOT_SOLD.send(owner, plot.getId(), player.getName(), price);
             }
diff --git a/Core/src/main/java/com/github/intellectualsites/plotsquared/plot/commands/Claim.java b/Core/src/main/java/com/github/intellectualsites/plotsquared/plot/commands/Claim.java
index 559df28ef..d52471d85 100644
--- a/Core/src/main/java/com/github/intellectualsites/plotsquared/plot/commands/Claim.java
+++ b/Core/src/main/java/com/github/intellectualsites/plotsquared/plot/commands/Claim.java
@@ -97,7 +97,7 @@ public class Claim extends SubCommand {
         if (border != Integer.MAX_VALUE && plot.getDistanceFromOrigin() > border && !force) {
             return !sendMessage(player, Captions.BORDER);
         }
-        plot.owner = player.getUUID();
+        plot.setOwnerAbs(player.getUUID());
         final String finalSchematic = schematic;
         DBFunc.createPlotSafe(plot, () -> TaskManager.IMP.sync(new RunnableVal<Object>() {
             @Override public void run(Object value) {
@@ -105,7 +105,7 @@ public class Claim extends SubCommand {
                     PlotSquared.get().getLogger().log(Captions.PREFIX.getTranslated() +
                         String.format("Failed to claim plot %s", plot.getId().toCommaSeparatedString()));
                     sendMessage(player, Captions.PLOT_NOT_CLAIMED);
-                    plot.owner = null;
+                    plot.setOwnerAbs(null);
                 } else if (area.isAutoMerge()) {
                     PlotMergeEvent event = PlotSquared.get().getEventDispatcher()
                         .callMerge(plot, Direction.ALL, Integer.MAX_VALUE, player);
@@ -120,7 +120,7 @@ public class Claim extends SubCommand {
             PlotSquared.get().getLogger().log(Captions.PREFIX.getTranslated() +
                 String.format("Failed to add plot %s to the database", plot.getId().toCommaSeparatedString()));
             sendMessage(player, Captions.PLOT_NOT_CLAIMED);
-            plot.owner = null;
+            plot.setOwnerAbs(null);
         });
         return true;
     }
diff --git a/Core/src/main/java/com/github/intellectualsites/plotsquared/plot/commands/Owner.java b/Core/src/main/java/com/github/intellectualsites/plotsquared/plot/commands/Owner.java
index e0baa49ef..e973105e9 100644
--- a/Core/src/main/java/com/github/intellectualsites/plotsquared/plot/commands/Owner.java
+++ b/Core/src/main/java/com/github/intellectualsites/plotsquared/plot/commands/Owner.java
@@ -49,7 +49,7 @@ public class Owner extends SetCommand {
             uuid = null;
         }
         PlotChangeOwnerEvent event = PlotSquared.get().getEventDispatcher()
-            .callOwnerChange(player, plot, plot.hasOwner() ? plot.owner : null, uuid,
+            .callOwnerChange(player, plot, plot.hasOwner() ? plot.getOwnerAbs() : null, uuid,
                 plot.hasOwner());
         if (event.getEventResult() == Result.DENY) {
             sendMessage(player, Captions.EVENT_DENIED, "Owner change");
diff --git a/Core/src/main/java/com/github/intellectualsites/plotsquared/plot/commands/Purge.java b/Core/src/main/java/com/github/intellectualsites/plotsquared/plot/commands/Purge.java
index c61074f27..8d6150020 100644
--- a/Core/src/main/java/com/github/intellectualsites/plotsquared/plot/commands/Purge.java
+++ b/Core/src/main/java/com/github/intellectualsites/plotsquared/plot/commands/Purge.java
@@ -121,7 +121,7 @@ public class Purge extends SubCommand {
             if (added != null && !plot.isAdded(added)) {
                 continue;
             }
-            if (unknown && UUIDHandler.getName(plot.owner) != null) {
+            if (unknown && UUIDHandler.getName(plot.getOwnerAbs()) != null) {
                 continue;
             }
             toDelete.addAll(plot.getConnectedPlots());
@@ -144,7 +144,7 @@ public class Purge extends SubCommand {
                     if (added != null && !plot.isAdded(added)) {
                         continue;
                     }
-                    if (unknown && UUIDHandler.getName(plot.owner) != null) {
+                    if (unknown && UUIDHandler.getName(plot.getOwnerAbs()) != null) {
                         continue;
                     }
                     toDelete.add(plot);
diff --git a/Core/src/main/java/com/github/intellectualsites/plotsquared/plot/database/SQLManager.java b/Core/src/main/java/com/github/intellectualsites/plotsquared/plot/database/SQLManager.java
index b3d52a114..907600749 100644
--- a/Core/src/main/java/com/github/intellectualsites/plotsquared/plot/database/SQLManager.java
+++ b/Core/src/main/java/com/github/intellectualsites/plotsquared/plot/database/SQLManager.java
@@ -718,7 +718,7 @@ import java.util.concurrent.atomic.AtomicInteger;
                 stmt.setInt(i * 5 + 1, plot.getId().x);
                 stmt.setInt(i * 5 + 2, plot.getId().y);
                 try {
-                    stmt.setString(i * 5 + 3, plot.owner.toString());
+                    stmt.setString(i * 5 + 3, plot.getOwnerAbs().toString());
                 } catch (SQLException ignored) {
                     stmt.setString(i * 5 + 3, everyone.toString());
                 }
@@ -732,7 +732,7 @@ import java.util.concurrent.atomic.AtomicInteger;
                 stmt.setInt(i * 6 + 2, plot.getId().x);
                 stmt.setInt(i * 6 + 3, plot.getId().y);
                 try {
-                    stmt.setString(i * 6 + 4, plot.owner.toString());
+                    stmt.setString(i * 6 + 4, plot.getOwnerAbs().toString());
                 } catch (SQLException ignored) {
                     stmt.setString(i * 6 + 4, everyone.toString());
                 }
@@ -743,7 +743,7 @@ import java.util.concurrent.atomic.AtomicInteger;
             @Override public void setSQL(PreparedStatement stmt, Plot plot) throws SQLException {
                 stmt.setInt(1, plot.getId().x);
                 stmt.setInt(2, plot.getId().y);
-                stmt.setString(3, plot.owner.toString());
+                stmt.setString(3, plot.getOwnerAbs().toString());
                 stmt.setString(4, plot.getArea().toString());
                 stmt.setTimestamp(5, new Timestamp(plot.getTimestamp()));
 
@@ -982,7 +982,7 @@ import java.util.concurrent.atomic.AtomicInteger;
             @Override public void set(PreparedStatement statement) throws SQLException {
                 statement.setInt(1, plot.getId().x);
                 statement.setInt(2, plot.getId().y);
-                statement.setString(3, plot.owner.toString());
+                statement.setString(3, plot.getOwnerAbs().toString());
                 statement.setString(4, plot.getArea().toString());
                 statement.setTimestamp(5, new Timestamp(plot.getTimestamp()));
                 statement.setString(6, plot.getArea().toString());
@@ -1051,7 +1051,7 @@ import java.util.concurrent.atomic.AtomicInteger;
             @Override public void set(PreparedStatement statement) throws SQLException {
                 statement.setInt(1, plot.getId().x);
                 statement.setInt(2, plot.getId().y);
-                statement.setString(3, plot.owner.toString());
+                statement.setString(3, plot.getOwnerAbs().toString());
                 statement.setString(4, plot.getArea().toString());
                 statement.setTimestamp(5, new Timestamp(plot.getTimestamp()));
             }
@@ -1356,7 +1356,7 @@ import java.util.concurrent.atomic.AtomicInteger;
     @Override public void delete(final Plot plot) {
         PlotSquared.debug(
             "Deleting plot... Id: " + plot.getId() + " World: " + plot.getWorldName() + " Owner: "
-                + plot.owner + " Index: " + plot.temp);
+                + plot.getOwnerAbs() + " Index: " + plot.temp);
         deleteSettings(plot);
         deleteDenied(plot);
         deleteHelpers(plot);
@@ -1384,7 +1384,7 @@ import java.util.concurrent.atomic.AtomicInteger;
     @Override public void createPlotSettings(final int id, Plot plot) {
         PlotSquared.debug(
             "Creating plot... Id: " + plot.getId() + " World: " + plot.getWorldName() + " Owner: "
-                + plot.owner + " Index: " + id);
+                + plot.getOwnerAbs() + " Index: " + id);
         addPlotTask(plot, new UniqueStatement("createPlotSettings") {
             @Override public void set(PreparedStatement statement) throws SQLException {
                 statement.setInt(1, id);
@@ -3002,10 +3002,10 @@ import java.util.concurrent.atomic.AtomicInteger;
                 continue;
             }
             // owner
-            if (!plot.owner.equals(dataPlot.owner)) {
+            if (!plot.getOwnerAbs().equals(dataPlot.getOwnerAbs())) {
                 PlotSquared
-                    .debug("&8 - &7Setting owner: " + plot + " -> " + MainUtil.getName(plot.owner));
-                setOwner(plot, plot.owner);
+                    .debug("&8 - &7Setting owner: " + plot + " -> " + MainUtil.getName(plot.getOwnerAbs()));
+                setOwner(plot, plot.getOwnerAbs());
             }
             // trusted
             if (!plot.getTrusted().equals(dataPlot.getTrusted())) {
diff --git a/Core/src/main/java/com/github/intellectualsites/plotsquared/plot/object/Plot.java b/Core/src/main/java/com/github/intellectualsites/plotsquared/plot/object/Plot.java
index ef21ef332..0b1239510 100644
--- a/Core/src/main/java/com/github/intellectualsites/plotsquared/plot/object/Plot.java
+++ b/Core/src/main/java/com/github/intellectualsites/plotsquared/plot/object/Plot.java
@@ -98,7 +98,7 @@ public class Plot {
      *
      * @deprecated
      */
-    @Deprecated public UUID owner;
+    private UUID owner;
 
     /**
      * Has the plot changed since the last save cycle?
@@ -286,6 +286,34 @@ public class Plot {
         return null;
     }
 
+    /**
+     * Get the owner of this exact plot, as it is
+     * stored in the database.
+     *
+     * If the plot is a mega-plot, then the method returns
+     * the owner of this particular subplot.
+     *
+     * Unlike {@link #getOwner()} this method does not
+     * consider factors such as {@link com.github.intellectualsites.plotsquared.plot.flags.implementations.ServerPlotFlag}
+     * that could alter the de facto owner of the plot.
+     *
+     * @return The plot owner of this particular (sub-)plot
+     *         as stored in the database, if one exists. Else, null.
+     */
+    @Nullable public UUID getOwnerAbs() {
+        return this.owner;
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Set the owner of this exact sub-plot. This does
+     * not update the database.
+     *
+     * @param owner The new owner of this particular sub-plot.
+     */
+    public void setOwnerAbs(@Nullable final UUID owner) {
+        this.owner = owner;
+    }
+
     public String getWorldName() {
         return area.getWorldName();
     }
@@ -366,7 +394,7 @@ public class Plot {
      * @return false if there is no owner
      */
     public boolean hasOwner() {
-        return this.owner != null;
+        return this.getOwnerAbs() != null;
     }
 
     /**
@@ -386,7 +414,10 @@ public class Plot {
         return connected.stream().anyMatch(current -> uuid.equals(current.getOwner()));
     }
 
-    public boolean isOwnerAbs(UUID uuid) {
+    public boolean isOwnerAbs(@Nullable final UUID uuid) {
+        if (uuid == null) {
+            return false;
+        }
         return uuid.equals(this.getOwner());
     }
 
@@ -395,13 +426,16 @@ public class Plot {
      * (Merged plots can have multiple owners)
      * Direct access is Deprecated: use getOwners()
      *
-     * @deprecated
+     * @deprecated A mega-plot may have multiple owners
+     *             and this method only considers the
+     *             owner of this particular sub-plot.
+     * @see #getOwnerAbs() getOwnerAbs() to get the owner as stored in the database
      */
     @Deprecated public UUID getOwner() {
         if (MainUtil.isServerOwned(this)) {
             return DBFunc.SERVER;
         }
-        return this.owner;
+        return this.getOwnerAbs();
     }
 
     /**
@@ -411,20 +445,20 @@ public class Plot {
      */
     public void setOwner(UUID owner) {
         if (!hasOwner()) {
-            this.owner = owner;
+            this.setOwnerAbs(owner);
             create();
             return;
         }
         if (!isMerged()) {
-            if (!this.owner.equals(owner)) {
-                this.owner = owner;
+            if (!owner.equals(this.getOwnerAbs())) {
+                this.setOwnerAbs(owner);
                 DBFunc.setOwner(this, owner);
             }
             return;
         }
         for (Plot current : getConnectedPlots()) {
-            if (!owner.equals(current.owner)) {
-                current.owner = owner;
+            if (!owner.equals(current.getOwnerAbs())) {
+                current.setOwnerAbs(owner);
                 DBFunc.setOwner(current, owner);
             }
         }
@@ -467,7 +501,7 @@ public class Plot {
      * @return true if the player is added/trusted or is the owner
      */
     public boolean isAdded(UUID uuid) {
-        if (this.owner == null || getDenied().contains(uuid)) {
+        if (this.getOwnerAbs() == null || getDenied().contains(uuid)) {
             return false;
         }
         if (isOwner(uuid)) {
@@ -832,20 +866,20 @@ public class Plot {
      */
     public boolean setOwner(UUID owner, PlotPlayer initiator) {
         if (!hasOwner()) {
-            this.owner = owner;
+            this.setOwnerAbs(owner);
             create();
             return true;
         }
         if (!isMerged()) {
-            if (!this.owner.equals(owner)) {
-                this.owner = owner;
+            if (!owner.equals(this.getOwnerAbs())) {
+                this.setOwnerAbs(owner);
                 DBFunc.setOwner(this, owner);
             }
             return true;
         }
-        for (Plot current : getConnectedPlots()) {
-            if (!owner.equals(current.owner)) {
-                current.owner = owner;
+        for (final Plot current : getConnectedPlots()) {
+            if (!owner.equals(current.getOwnerAbs())) {
+                current.setOwnerAbs(owner);
                 DBFunc.setOwner(current, owner);
             }
         }
@@ -891,7 +925,7 @@ public class Plot {
                         TaskManager.runTask(whenDone);
                     };
                     for (Plot current : plots) {
-                        if (isDelete || current.owner == null) {
+                        if (isDelete || current.getOwnerAbs() == null) {
                             manager.unClaimPlot(current, null);
                         } else {
                             manager.claimPlot(current);
@@ -1023,7 +1057,7 @@ public class Plot {
         if (createSign) {
             GlobalBlockQueue.IMP.addEmptyTask(() -> {
                 for (Plot current : plots) {
-                    current.setSign(MainUtil.getName(current.owner));
+                    current.setSign(MainUtil.getName(current.getOwnerAbs()));
                 }
             });
         }
@@ -1291,7 +1325,7 @@ public class Plot {
      * @return false if the Plot has no owner, otherwise true.
      */
     public boolean unclaim() {
-        if (this.owner == null) {
+        if (this.getOwnerAbs() == null) {
             return false;
         }
         for (Plot current : getConnectedPlots()) {
@@ -1301,7 +1335,7 @@ public class Plot {
             }
             getArea().removePlot(getId());
             DBFunc.delete(current);
-            current.owner = null;
+            current.setOwnerAbs(null);
             current.settings = null;
             for (PlotPlayer pp : players) {
                 PlotListener.plotEntry(pp, current);
@@ -1677,11 +1711,11 @@ public class Plot {
      * Sets the plot sign if plot signs are enabled.
      */
     public void setSign() {
-        if (this.owner == null) {
+        if (this.getOwnerAbs() == null) {
             this.setSign("unknown");
             return;
         }
-        String name = UUIDHandler.getName(this.owner);
+        String name = UUIDHandler.getName(this.getOwnerAbs());
         if (name == null) {
             this.setSign("unknown");
         } else {
@@ -1771,7 +1805,7 @@ public class Plot {
      * @return true if plot was created successfully
      */
     public boolean create(@NotNull UUID uuid, final boolean notify) {
-        this.owner = uuid;
+        this.setOwnerAbs(uuid);
         Plot existing = this.area.getOwnedPlotAbs(this.id);
         if (existing != null) {
             throw new IllegalStateException("Plot already exists!");
@@ -1870,7 +1904,7 @@ public class Plot {
      * @return Future containing the result
      */
     public CompletableFuture<Boolean> swapData(Plot plot) {
-        if (this.owner == null) {
+        if (this.getOwnerAbs() == null) {
             if (plot != null && plot.hasOwner()) {
                 plot.moveData(this, null);
                 return CompletableFuture.completedFuture(true);
@@ -1905,7 +1939,7 @@ public class Plot {
      * @return
      */
     public boolean moveData(Plot plot, Runnable whenDone) {
-        if (this.owner == null) {
+        if (this.getOwnerAbs() == null) {
             PlotSquared.debug(plot + " is unowned (single)");
             TaskManager.runTask(whenDone);
             return false;
@@ -2159,7 +2193,7 @@ public class Plot {
                 } else {
                     TaskManager.runTaskAsync(() -> {
                         String name = Plot.this.id + "," + Plot.this.area + ',' + MainUtil
-                            .getName(Plot.this.owner);
+                            .getName(Plot.this.getOwnerAbs());
                         boolean result = SchematicHandler.manager.save(value,
                             Settings.Paths.SCHEMATICS + File.separator + name + ".schem");
                         if (whenDone != null) {
@@ -2366,7 +2400,7 @@ public class Plot {
      */
     public UUID guessOwner() {
         if (this.hasOwner()) {
-            return this.owner;
+            return this.getOwnerAbs();
         }
         if (!this.area.allowSigns() || !Settings.Enabled_Components.GUESS_PLOT_OWNER) {
             return null;
@@ -2400,7 +2434,7 @@ public class Plot {
                 }
                 UUID owner = UUIDHandler.getUUID(name, null);
                 if (owner != null) {
-                    this.owner = owner;
+                    this.setOwnerAbs(owner);
                     break;
                 }
                 if (lines[i - 1].length() == 15) {
@@ -2408,19 +2442,19 @@ public class Plot {
                     for (Entry<StringWrapper, UUID> entry : map.entrySet()) {
                         String key = entry.getKey().value;
                         if (key.length() > name.length() && key.startsWith(name)) {
-                            this.owner = entry.getValue();
+                            this.setOwnerAbs(entry.getValue());
                             break loop;
                         }
                     }
                 }
-                this.owner = UUID.nameUUIDFromBytes(
-                    ("OfflinePlayer:" + name).getBytes(StandardCharsets.UTF_8));
+                this.setOwnerAbs(UUID.nameUUIDFromBytes(
+                    ("OfflinePlayer:" + name).getBytes(StandardCharsets.UTF_8)));
                 break;
             }
             if (this.hasOwner()) {
                 this.create();
             }
-            return this.owner;
+            return this.getOwnerAbs();
         } catch (IllegalArgumentException ignored) {
             return null;
         }
@@ -2454,7 +2488,7 @@ public class Plot {
      */
     public boolean autoMerge(Direction dir, int max, UUID uuid, boolean removeRoads) {
         //Ignore merging if there is no owner for the plot
-        if (this.owner == null) {
+        if (this.getOwnerAbs() == null) {
             return false;
         }
         Set<Plot> connected = this.getConnectedPlots();
@@ -2689,7 +2723,7 @@ public class Plot {
             if (!tmp.getMerged(Direction.SOUTH)) {
                 // invalid merge
                 PlotSquared.debug("Fixing invalid merge: " + this);
-                if (tmp.isOwnerAbs(this.owner)) {
+                if (tmp.isOwnerAbs(this.getOwnerAbs())) {
                     tmp.getSettings().setMerged(Direction.SOUTH, true);
                     DBFunc.setMerged(tmp, tmp.getSettings().getMerged());
                 } else {
@@ -2702,10 +2736,11 @@ public class Plot {
         }
         if (this.getMerged(Direction.EAST)) {
             tmp = this.area.getPlotAbs(this.id.getRelative(Direction.EAST));
+            assert tmp != null;
             if (!tmp.getMerged(Direction.WEST)) {
                 // invalid merge
                 PlotSquared.debug("Fixing invalid merge: " + this);
-                if (tmp.isOwnerAbs(this.owner)) {
+                if (tmp.isOwnerAbs(this.getOwnerAbs())) {
                     tmp.getSettings().setMerged(Direction.WEST, true);
                     DBFunc.setMerged(tmp, tmp.getSettings().getMerged());
                 } else {
@@ -2718,10 +2753,11 @@ public class Plot {
         }
         if (this.getMerged(Direction.SOUTH)) {
             tmp = this.area.getPlotAbs(this.id.getRelative(Direction.SOUTH));
+            assert tmp != null;
             if (!tmp.getMerged(Direction.NORTH)) {
                 // invalid merge
                 PlotSquared.debug("Fixing invalid merge: " + this);
-                if (tmp.isOwnerAbs(this.owner)) {
+                if (tmp.isOwnerAbs(this.getOwnerAbs())) {
                     tmp.getSettings().setMerged(Direction.NORTH, true);
                     DBFunc.setMerged(tmp, tmp.getSettings().getMerged());
                 } else {
@@ -2737,7 +2773,7 @@ public class Plot {
             if (!tmp.getMerged(Direction.EAST)) {
                 // invalid merge
                 PlotSquared.debug("Fixing invalid merge: " + this);
-                if (tmp.isOwnerAbs(this.owner)) {
+                if (tmp.isOwnerAbs(this.getOwnerAbs())) {
                     tmp.getSettings().setMerged(Direction.EAST, true);
                     DBFunc.setMerged(tmp, tmp.getSettings().getMerged());
                 } else {
@@ -2750,11 +2786,11 @@ public class Plot {
         }
         Plot current;
         while ((current = frontier.poll()) != null) {
-            if (current.owner == null || current.settings == null) {
+            if (current.getOwnerAbs() == null || current.settings == null) {
                 // Invalid plot
                 // merged onto unclaimed plot
                 PlotSquared
-                    .debug("Ignoring invalid merged plot: " + current + " | " + current.owner);
+                    .debug("Ignoring invalid merged plot: " + current + " | " + current.getOwnerAbs());
                 continue;
             }
             tmpSet.add(current);
@@ -3054,14 +3090,14 @@ public class Plot {
      * @return true if the owner of the Plot is online
      */
     public boolean isOnline() {
-        if (this.owner == null) {
+        if (this.getOwnerAbs() == null) {
             return false;
         }
         if (!isMerged()) {
-            return UUIDHandler.getPlayer(this.owner) != null;
+            return UUIDHandler.getPlayer(this.getOwnerAbs()) != null;
         }
-        for (Plot current : getConnectedPlots()) {
-            if (current.hasOwner() && UUIDHandler.getPlayer(current.owner) != null) {
+        for (final Plot current : getConnectedPlots()) {
+            if (current.hasOwner() && UUIDHandler.getPlayer(current.getOwnerAbs()) != null) {
                 return true;
             }
         }
@@ -3183,7 +3219,7 @@ public class Plot {
         Location ob = this.getBottomAbs();
         final int offsetX = db.getX() - ob.getX();
         final int offsetZ = db.getZ() - ob.getZ();
-        if (this.owner == null) {
+        if (this.getOwnerAbs() == null) {
             TaskManager.runTaskLater(whenDone, 1);
             return CompletableFuture.completedFuture(false);
         }
@@ -3301,7 +3337,7 @@ public class Plot {
         Location ob = this.getBottomAbs();
         final int offsetX = db.getX() - ob.getX();
         final int offsetZ = db.getZ() - ob.getZ();
-        if (this.owner == null) {
+        if (this.getOwnerAbs() == null) {
             TaskManager.runTaskLater(whenDone, 1);
             return false;
         }
diff --git a/Core/src/main/java/com/github/intellectualsites/plotsquared/plot/object/PlotArea.java b/Core/src/main/java/com/github/intellectualsites/plotsquared/plot/object/PlotArea.java
index 6fe608188..d89aeb9de 100644
--- a/Core/src/main/java/com/github/intellectualsites/plotsquared/plot/object/PlotArea.java
+++ b/Core/src/main/java/com/github/intellectualsites/plotsquared/plot/object/PlotArea.java
@@ -503,7 +503,7 @@ public abstract class PlotArea {
         }
         final HashSet<Plot> myPlots = new HashSet<>();
         forEachPlotAbs(value -> {
-            if (uuid.equals(value.owner)) {
+            if (uuid.equals(value.getOwnerAbs())) {
                 myPlots.add(value);
             }
         });
diff --git a/Core/src/main/java/com/github/intellectualsites/plotsquared/plot/object/PlotHandler.java b/Core/src/main/java/com/github/intellectualsites/plotsquared/plot/object/PlotHandler.java
index 4faa17b76..6f7b6413c 100644
--- a/Core/src/main/java/com/github/intellectualsites/plotsquared/plot/object/PlotHandler.java
+++ b/Core/src/main/java/com/github/intellectualsites/plotsquared/plot/object/PlotHandler.java
@@ -1,11 +1,14 @@
 package com.github.intellectualsites.plotsquared.plot.object;
 
+import org.jetbrains.annotations.NotNull;
+
 import java.util.Set;
 import java.util.UUID;
 
 public class PlotHandler {
-    public static boolean sameOwners(final Plot plot1, final Plot plot2) {
-        if (plot1.owner == null || plot2.owner == null) {
+
+    public static boolean sameOwners(@NotNull final Plot plot1, @NotNull final Plot plot2) {
+        if (plot1.getOwnerAbs() == null || plot2.getOwnerAbs() == null) {
             return false;
         }
         final Set<UUID> owners = plot1.getOwners();
@@ -16,4 +19,5 @@ public class PlotHandler {
         }
         return false;
     }
+
 }
diff --git a/Core/src/main/java/com/github/intellectualsites/plotsquared/plot/object/worlds/SinglePlotArea.java b/Core/src/main/java/com/github/intellectualsites/plotsquared/plot/object/worlds/SinglePlotArea.java
index 4fe3b69b4..076b9e79c 100644
--- a/Core/src/main/java/com/github/intellectualsites/plotsquared/plot/object/worlds/SinglePlotArea.java
+++ b/Core/src/main/java/com/github/intellectualsites/plotsquared/plot/object/worlds/SinglePlotArea.java
@@ -171,7 +171,7 @@ public class SinglePlotArea extends GridPlotWorld {
         PlotSettings s = p.getSettings();
 
         final FlagContainer oldContainer = p.getFlagContainer();
-        p = new SinglePlot(p.getId(), p.owner, p.getTrusted(), p.getMembers(), p.getDenied(),
+        p = new SinglePlot(p.getId(), p.getOwnerAbs(), p.getTrusted(), p.getMembers(), p.getDenied(),
             s.getAlias(), s.getPosition(), null, this, s.getMerged(), p.getTimestamp(), p.temp);
         p.getFlagContainer().addAll(oldContainer);
 
diff --git a/Core/src/main/java/com/github/intellectualsites/plotsquared/plot/util/UUIDHandler.java b/Core/src/main/java/com/github/intellectualsites/plotsquared/plot/util/UUIDHandler.java
index 9967e88eb..6aaefa899 100644
--- a/Core/src/main/java/com/github/intellectualsites/plotsquared/plot/util/UUIDHandler.java
+++ b/Core/src/main/java/com/github/intellectualsites/plotsquared/plot/util/UUIDHandler.java
@@ -61,7 +61,7 @@ public class UUIDHandler {
         final HashSet<UUID> uuids = new HashSet<>();
         PlotSquared.get().forEachPlotRaw(plot -> {
             if (plot.hasOwner()) {
-                uuids.add(plot.owner);
+                uuids.add(plot.getOwnerAbs());
                 uuids.addAll(plot.getTrusted());
                 uuids.addAll(plot.getMembers());
                 uuids.addAll(plot.getDenied());
@@ -107,8 +107,8 @@ public class UUIDHandler {
         return implementation.getName(uuid);
     }
 
-    public static PlotPlayer getPlayer(UUID uuid) {
-        if (implementation == null) {
+    @Nullable public static PlotPlayer getPlayer(@Nullable final UUID uuid) {
+        if (implementation == null || uuid == null) {
             return null;
         }
         return check(implementation.getPlayer(uuid));
diff --git a/Core/src/main/java/com/github/intellectualsites/plotsquared/plot/util/UUIDHandlerImplementation.java b/Core/src/main/java/com/github/intellectualsites/plotsquared/plot/util/UUIDHandlerImplementation.java
index 57b70d263..75c83894c 100644
--- a/Core/src/main/java/com/github/intellectualsites/plotsquared/plot/util/UUIDHandlerImplementation.java
+++ b/Core/src/main/java/com/github/intellectualsites/plotsquared/plot/util/UUIDHandlerImplementation.java
@@ -130,8 +130,8 @@ public abstract class UUIDHandlerImplementation {
                     UUIDHandlerImplementation.this.unknown.remove(offline);
                     Set<Plot> plots = PlotSquared.get().getPlotsAbs(offline);
                     if (!plots.isEmpty()) {
-                        for (Plot plot : plots) {
-                            plot.owner = uuid;
+                        for (final Plot plot : plots) {
+                            plot.setOwnerAbs(uuid);
                         }
                         DBFunc.replaceUUID(offline, uuid);
                         PlotSquared.debug("&cDetected invalid UUID stored for: " + name.value);
@@ -152,8 +152,8 @@ public abstract class UUIDHandlerImplementation {
                     UUIDHandlerImplementation.this.unknown.remove(offlineUpper);
                     Set<Plot> plots = PlotSquared.get().getPlotsAbs(offlineUpper);
                     if (!plots.isEmpty()) {
-                        for (Plot plot : plots) {
-                            plot.owner = uuid;
+                        for (final Plot plot : plots) {
+                            plot.setOwnerAbs(uuid);
                         }
                         replace(offlineUpper, uuid, name.value);
                     }
@@ -166,8 +166,8 @@ public abstract class UUIDHandlerImplementation {
                 if (!existing.equals(uuid)) {
                     Set<Plot> plots = PlotSquared.get().getPlots(existing);
                     if (!plots.isEmpty()) {
-                        for (Plot plot : plots) {
-                            plot.owner = uuid;
+                        for (final Plot plot : plots) {
+                            plot.setOwnerAbs(uuid);
                         }
                         replace(existing, uuid, name.value);
                     }