How do I Check if my deceased father owns any property?

Uglymug

My father passed away a few months ago. I’m executor of his will, and, as requested, in the process of transferring everything over to my mother.

I’ve noticed that one of their joint bank accounts has a monthly payment of £10 going in to it.

My mother has dementia (my father also died from dementia), she, and the rest of the family have no idea where this £10 is coming from. I’ve gone through all his paper work and that has uncovered nothing.

About 40 years ago my father purchased a block of lock up garages. A couple of years later I vaguely recall him telling me that he had individually sold all bar one. That one of his tenants refused to buy and was quite happy to continue renting. I’m wondering if this is the source of this income, all I know is that these garages where somewhere in Coventry. We all moved well away from this area about 35 years ago.

How do I check if my deceased father owns any property in Coventry?

Would the bank help? But I think it would be a bit awkward asking someone “Why are you paying my parents £10 a month? “.

Or would the bank be able to tell me if there was a different source?

Also, I'm executor of my mother's will  When she passes away, would this be an issue if it remains unresolved?

I would be very grateful for any advice.

[Deleted User]

Uglymug said:

Would the bank help? But I think it would be a bit awkward asking someone “Why are you paying my parents £10 a month? “.

The bank would be the obvious starting point, if they can tell you the source (or more likely, pass on a communication). I can't believe it would be awkward for them to query a payment, given the circumstances. I doubt it's for anything illegal.

Browntoa

I've just checked out of interest , it's not possible to search the land registry by name , only address , so that avenue isn't open to you .

A court order is required to get the land registry to search by name , I'm not sure what costs that would involve and it could outweigh the value of the asset concerned.

shiraz99

As mentioned, speak to the bank.

Marcon

Write to your bank, setting out the circumstances, and asking if they would be kind enough to forward your letter to the person paying the £10 a month with the request that the person concerned contacts you.

Land_Registry

Browntoa said:

I've just checked out of interest , it's not possible to search the land registry by name , only address , so that avenue isn't open to you .

A court order is required to get the land registry to search by name , I'm not sure what costs that would involve and it could outweigh the value of the asset concerned.

If you are his executor and have probate then you can search by name using a form PN1
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/searches-of-the-index-of-proprietors-names

There are a number of restrictions which may mean a court order is the only way forward but searching by name to help identify the deceased’s full estate is a regular search option. 

Important to note however that the search is by name so the result may include others with that same/similar name but the details may help you narrow it down.
As such the bank may help but again they are likely to need to see the probate to do so 

Uglymug

Land_Registry said:

Browntoa said:

I've just checked out of interest , it's not possible to search the land registry by name , only address , so that avenue isn't open to you .

A court order is required to get the land registry to search by name , I'm not sure what costs that would involve and it could outweigh the value of the asset concerned.

If you are his executor and have probate then you can search by name using a form PN1
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/searches-of-the-index-of-proprietors-names

There are a number of restrictions which may mean a court order is the only way forward but searching by name to help identify the deceased’s full estate is a regular search option. 

Important to note however that the search is by name so the result may include others with that same/similar name but the details may help you narrow it down.
As such the bank may help but again they are likely to need to see the probate to do so 

Many thanks for your suggestion - it's greatly appreciated. I'm currently waiting for a response from the bank, This gives me another avenue to pursue.