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Derelict property
Mariafdavies
Posts: 1 Newbie
I know of a derelict property in Pembrokeshire- owner died over 15 years ago and no living relatives - I would like to buy it - can anyone please help been searching for a very long time
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Land registry?I am not a cat (But my friend is)1
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What help do you need? What have you been searching? Do you know the deceased's name? Talked to neighbours? Anybody seem to have been checking up on the property since the death? Looked up probate registers?0
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Try a land registry map search to find out if there is a title number (and therefore registered). If no title number, then it's not registered.0
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If you know the deceased's name you might be able to find them on the Unclaimed Estates List. If the property remains unclaimed it will be transferred to the Crown. Won't help you procure the property but might give you some info on it's status.0
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How do you know that there are no living relatives?Mariafdavies said:I know of a derelict property in Pembrokeshire- owner died over 15 years ago and no living relatives - I would like to buy it - can anyone please help been searching for a very long time
You could speak to the Empty Homes Officer at the Council as it may well be on their list.0 -
If there were no surviving relatives when the owner died and no will, then the estate would have passed to the Crown who during the intervening 15 years would probably have sold the property. The likelihood is that the property was left to someone who isn't interested or may be themselves deceased.If you are querying your Council Tax band would you please state whether you are in England, Scotland or Wales0
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Or may not even know they own it.lincroft1710 said:If there were no surviving relatives when the owner died and no will, then the estate would have passed to the Crown who during the intervening 15 years would probably have sold the property. The likelihood is that the property was left to someone who isn't interested or may be themselves deceased.
When it comes to intestacy, "living relatives" goes wider than many people think.
https://www.gov.uk/inherits-someone-dies-without-will
1. Spouse
2. Children/Grandchildren/Great-grandchildren - direct descendents
3. Parents
4. Siblings
5. Half-siblings
6. Grandparents
7. Aunts/uncles
8. Half-aunts/-uncles
You can see how a few of those could easily give range to dispute and confusion...
Then and only then does it go to bona vacantia.
https://www.gov.uk/unclaimed-estates-bona-vacantia
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As you want to buy the property, it falls to you to find out whether there is a registered owner, and a registered title, and if not where the deeds might be.
You could try just moving in while you do this and see if anyone objects. After 12 years, you could become the legal owner without having to buy it. Have a look here: Shelter Legal England - Squatters acquiring ownership through adverse possession The problem is that if you spend anything on the place, you will not get the money back if you the owner eventually appears and evicts you. You need to make sure you enclose all the land that is part of the property.The comments I post are my personal opinion. While I try to check everything is correct before posting, I can and do make mistakes, so always try to check official information sources before relying on my posts.1 -
I don't think it's a good idea for you to suggest that the OP breaks the law. As has been said, squatting is illegal.tacpot12 said:You could try just moving in while you do this and see if anyone objects. After 12 years, you could become the legal owner without having to buy it.0
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