We'd like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum... Read More »
PLEASE READ BEFORE POSTING: Hello Forumites! In order to help keep the Forum a useful, safe and friendly place for our users, discussions around non-MoneySaving matters are not permitted per the Forum rules. While we understand that mentioning house prices may sometimes be relevant to a user's specific MoneySaving situation, we ask that you please avoid veering into broad, general debates about the market, the economy and politics, as these can unfortunately lead to abusive or hateful behaviour. Threads that are found to have derailed into wider discussions may be removed. Users who repeatedly disregard this may have their Forum account banned. Please also avoid posting personally identifiable information, including links to your own online property listing which may reveal your address. Thank you for your understanding.
We're aware that some users are experiencing technical issues which the team are working to resolve. See the Community Noticeboard for more info. Thank you for your patience.
📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!
Landlord has died with no NoK
Options
Comments
-
RHemmings said:daveyjp said:The property and assets will go on the bona vacantia list. Any next of kin has 12 years to claim the assets, but in the meantime it appears the council have taken responsibility.
I was surprised to read that no relative can be found. Everyone has relatives, however distant. I would have thought a search through births, deaths, and marriages records would have found living relatives. I'm not saying that a relative should have been found in this case after due diligence. I'm just wondering why one wasn't. I'm guessing that there is a limit as to how far they search, and wonder what this limit is.1 -
RHemmings said:user1977 said:RHemmings said:daveyjp said:The property and assets will go on the bona vacantia list. Any next of kin has 12 years to claim the assets, but in the meantime it appears the council have taken responsibility.
I was surprised to read that no relative can be found. Everyone has relatives, however distant. I would have thought a search through births, deaths, and marriages records would have found living relatives. I'm not saying that a relative should have been found in this case after due diligence. I'm just wondering why one wasn't. I'm guessing that there is a limit as to how far they search, and wonder what this limit is.2 -
If any heirs are found, would they be entitled to the rental income from the date of death too?
OP, are you still putting the rent aside, until you are contacted by a new LL (LA or otherwise)?How's it going, AKA, Nutwatch? - 12 month spends to date = 2.60% of current retirement "pot" (as at end May 2025)0 -
RHemmings said:Thanks @user1977 and @Flugelhorn. I'll give Heir Hunters a look when I'm home from work.1
-
kkkklinky said:The property is in the process of being taken by the crown...council have stated I will become a council tenant and that eviction would be pointless in my case since it is a 1 bed flat perfectly suitable for a couple over 35 and they would become responsible for rehoming us regardless, especially since my partner has severe medical needs that make him high priority for accommodation.
I suspected I would not be kicked out as my local council never evicts people in these type of situations not unless they are antisocial or causing damage to the property, if a property is too large they are usually moved to a smaller property.
Totally buzzing about this news as rental prices for council flats of this size are about 25% cheaper than private rent. Tenancies seem to be slightly more secure as well.
1 -
Shelldean said:RHemmings said:daveyjp said:The property and assets will go on the bona vacantia list. Any next of kin has 12 years to claim the assets, but in the meantime it appears the council have taken responsibility.
I was surprised to read that no relative can be found. Everyone has relatives, however distant. I would have thought a search through births, deaths, and marriages records would have found living relatives. I'm not saying that a relative should have been found in this case after due diligence. I'm just wondering why one wasn't. I'm guessing that there is a limit as to how far they search, and wonder what this limit is.
Even after being told there were limits, I thought it would go further than that. Now I can see that it could be quite easy for a property to go to The Crown even if family records exist.Intestacy - who inherits if someone dies without a will?:Information based on your answers
The whole estate goes to the Crown.
Next steps
Find out what happens to ownerless property
Your answers
Where was the deceased domiciled?England and WalesIs there a living husband, wife or civil partner?NoAre there any living children or any other living descendants (such as grandchildren or great-grandchildren)?NoAre there any living parents?NoAre there any living brothers or sisters, or any living descendants of deceased brothers or sisters (such as nephews or nieces)?NoAre there any living half-brothers or half-sisters, or any living descendants of deceased half-brothers or half-sisters (such as half-nephews or half-nieces)?NoAre there any living grandparents?NoAre there any living aunts or uncles, or any living descendants of deceased aunts or uncles (such as cousins)?NoAre there any living half-aunts or half-uncles, or living descendants of deceased half-aunts or half-uncles (such as half-cousins)?No1 -
If there was a mortgage/loan against the house then the house will go to receivers. Receivers have to uphold the tenancy and will take over managing it on behalf of the bank/loan company.
0 -
Smalltownhypocrite said:If there was a mortgage/loan against the house then the house will go to receivers. Receivers have to uphold the tenancy and will take over managing it on behalf of the bank/loan company.
I don't have service charges as I don't live in a block of flats, I live in a house that was fully converted into individual flats. Apparently the government is focusing on getting more council housing stock so most crown properties are going to the council especially where I live and it is likely what will happen with this property.
My landlord was born in Austria, that is all I know about her is she apparently told a few neighbours or acquaintances that her family died during WW2 except her mother who passed away many years ago, she was an only child.
2 -
kkkklinky said:
My landlord was born in Austria, that is all I know about her is she apparently told a few neighbours or acquaintances that her family died during WW2 except her mother who passed away many years ago, she was an only child.1 -
kkkklinky said:
I don't have service charges as I don't live in a block of flats, I live in a house that was fully converted into individual flats. Apparently the government is focusing on getting more council housing stock so most crown properties are going to the council especially where I live and it is likely what will happen with this property.
0
Confirm your email address to Create Threads and Reply

Categories
- All Categories
- 350.9K Banking & Borrowing
- 253.1K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
- 453.6K Spending & Discounts
- 244K Work, Benefits & Business
- 598.8K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
- 176.9K Life & Family
- 257.2K Travel & Transport
- 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
- 16.1K Discuss & Feedback
- 37.6K Read-Only Boards