Adverse possession

Shamo28shamo28

Today at 2:27PM

I'm thinking of taking over a neighbouring property...adverse possesion. It has been abandoned for the last 3 years and is being vandalised and left to the elements.The owner died but her name is on the land registry as owned out right. She did leave a will..everything going to a chinese gentleman who does not now live in this country. The address on the will lhas not got a registered owner. I googled the address and an old website came up helping people to get chinese visa s  ??
He never lived at my neighbouring property for more than 3 months at a time  and could speak no english and lived the rest of the time in remote area ofchina.
I would like to take it over and am seeking advice. 
But there's a law in 2012 that makes squatting in a property illegal  but I think adverse possession is different.  Would just like some advice on the whole situation 
Thanks in advance

moneysavinghero

You are going to have to fence off the property for 10 years first.

Think it's only a crime if you don't leave when asked to.

sheramber

https://derelictpropertyforsale.co.uk/claiming-a-derelict-property/
https://www.gov.uk/squatting-law/squatters-rights-to-property

[Deleted User]

Didn't the law on adverse possession change so that in order for you to claim title to the land, the rightful owner has to have known about your claim and done nothing about it for ten years?   

So if they don't know it can't hurt them!   

Someone more knowledgeable can correct me but I think the clock only starts ticking from the date at which the owner has actually been made aware of what you're up to.

Shamo28shamo28

The clock starts after 10 years when I need to inform the land registry. They then inform registered keeper who in my case is deceased.  I need to prove that I have taken possession and treat the home as if it were mine on the deeds. I was just wondering if the 2012 law change re squatters affected what I am planning to do

davelewis

Practice guide 4: adverse possession of registered land - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

sheramber

You also have to prove to LR that you have made efforts tot race the current owner.

rik111

Why not write to the owner and offer to buy it cheaply from him rather than trying to "legally" steal it....

davidmcn

rik111 said:

Why not write to the owner and offer to buy it cheaply from him rather than trying to "legally" steal it....

Yes, that would make rather more sense than waiting a decade to possibly not even get a good title. Adverse possession is of more use when you genuinely have no idea who the owner might be.

caprikid1

Never could work out why people think it's acceptable to steal like this. If I removed a car from a lockup for 10 years I doubt I could get solid title to it.

Keep_pedalling

I would have thought it more than likely that the local authority would step in with a CPO or EDMO before the 10 years are up.