I want to buy a run down/derelict house - how to go about it?

angelfire

Hi,

There is an empty, run down, derelict property that I would like to look in to buying. I have obtained the title deeds from the UK Land Registry but it states that it is on the Caution Property Register with the local council named.

Can anyone explain what this means and what my next step should be in attempting to acquire this property?

Thanks in advance!

teddysmum

The council have warned the owners that the property must be repaired. If this work is not done the next step depends on the council's policy, but it could include compulsory purchase (by council), compulsory sale (by owner) or work done by the council and charged to the owner.

angelfire

teddysmum wrote: »

The council have warned the owners that the property must be repaired. If this work is not done the next step depends on the council's policy, but it could include compulsory purchase (by council), compulsory sale (by owner) or work done by the council and charged to the owner.

Thank you for your reply. The reason I obtained the title deeds though was to try and find out who owns the property with a view to attempting to buy it. The owner is not, however, listed. Have you any idea where I might be able to get this information?

antrobus

!!!!!!!!! wrote: »

...Can anyone explain what this means and what my next step should be in attempting to acquire this property?...

I think that it means that it is unregistered land and that someone has registred a caution against registering the title because they believe that they have an interest in it.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/caution-against-first-registration/practice-guide-3-cautions-against-first-registration

The register is supposed to give you details of the claim involved, but if that is unclear, your best bet is probably to contact the person who registered the caution, i.e. the council.

Hoploz

If you speak to the council housing section they may have information. I spoke to the housing officer about a house next to my mum which was empty for years and derelict. They knew who the owner was and that they were far away but in that instance it could not be sold or any repairs done because the owner was not of sound mind apparently and therefore could not authorise it. I don't know what happened - perhaps the owner died, because it has since been sold and renovated

Land_Registry

As posted the caution register will confirm who has an interest and what that interest is. They may be worth approaching to see if they have any idea who the owner is but you need to consider the interest they have as well as that could affect your ability to buy etc

Otherwise tracing the legal owner comes down to your own detective work. We did a blog article on this a while back which may be of interest and which offers some ideas for where to search for clues

Stevie_Palimo

Good old fashioned door knocking first on the neighbours houses to try and ascertain the owners whereabouts, Even a name would start the ball rolling then go through social media and so on to trace the owner.

Just be sure to cover every angle here so that you do not get caught up with any nasty surprises down the line.