Buying a property not on the market

Sophia1990

Hi there, I hope you can help. I am looking to buy a house that I saw was derelict, not up for sale. A neighbour had told me that the proprietor had unfortunately passed away and they think there was a charge put on the house by the care home he went into. 

With all things considered and being sensitive to the matter, would I be able to contact the care home to see the status of the house? I am unfamiliar with care home charges etc but do care homes sell properties once occupants have passed on? 

Thanks in advance! 

user1977

There might have been a charge, but it's normally the executors who would be liquidating the estate and paying off any creditors - so who are the executors? How long ago was the death? Have you looked up the estate (and ownership of the house) on the relevant registers? Which country are we talking about?

kasqueak

Could be a complex matter. There may be a will or probate. There may be outstanding care fees. 

You could write a letter with your interest and put it through the door of the house? Then whoever now owns it will see it (eventually). I think calling the care home could be a little insensitive. Maybe you could talk to more neighbours for some more background/history of the property. 

You could also download the land registry (£3) which is think shows any charges on the property?

Sophia1990

The land registry still has his name on the details and his address is the property in question, along with the care home. It also says in ‘care of’ and then has a tax accountant. Thanks 

elsien

The care home won’t be selling anything because they don’t own the property. It will be whoever is dealing with the estate that you need to deal with.
You may also find that the neighbour has misunderstood and the charge is a deferred payment owed to the local authority, rather than directly to the care home. 

trevormax

While the care home are not involved with the sale of the house, they may be able to put you in touch with the deceased family. 
Maybe you could provide your contact details to the care home and ask them to pass the details on to the deceased family (in as sensitive a way possible). It is quite likely the person managing the deceased estate does not want too much hassle. They may be the only living relative (and therefore entitled to all of the deceased estate). They may be after a quick sale to get shot of the old house. Who knows. Worth a try though isn't it. The worst they could say is "no". 

Mickey666

Sophia1990 said:

Hi there, I hope you can help. I am looking to buy a house that I saw was derelict, not up for sale. A neighbour had told me that the proprietor had unfortunately passed away and they think there was a charge put on the house by the care home he went into. 

With all things considered and being sensitive to the matter, would I be able to contact the care home to see the status of the house? I am unfamiliar with care home charges etc but do care homes sell properties once occupants have passed on? 

Thanks in advance! 

Of course you can contact the care home and make enquiries.  

As others have noted, it's unlikely the care home will be selling the house itself because it doesn't own it but I'd expect them to know who is dealing with the affairs of the deceased and they will be the actual people to ask.  But asking the care home for contact details, or asking them to forward your contact details, should not pose a problem.

If the deceased left a will then there should be an executor, and they are the person(s) to talk to about purchasing the property.  It's perfectly in order to ask anyone who might know about the executors contact details.

SallyDucati

Could also be that the owner passed away without a will so the estate is intestate, or that there are no known living relatives to arrange probate.  Good luck, but may not be easy to find who to speak to.

[Deleted User]

I'd be surprised if the care home were willing to give out relatives contact details to a random person who phones up! At most I think they might agree to pass on a message for you, then the relatives could contact you should they wish to pursue it. So thats maybe worth a try. 

Failing that put a note through door but god knows when someone might pick it up. 

This is on the assumption that there are relatives to speak of. He might not have had any family.