I have see a house I would like to buy - how do I find out who owns it?

[ali_alic]

Its a dilapidated house, with a very overgrown garden, rotting widow frames and peeling paint. It actually looks as if no-one lives there. Short of putting a letter through the door, is there a website etc where I can look up who owns the house or do I need to write into someone?

Thnx

[redcrx]

Have you thought about asking the neighbours? They may know who owns it

[andy-hughes]

Contact the local Council - they will probably have a record of the owner, or at least the last occupant.

[kazzianne]

if you log onto the land registry website and pay �2 they will tell you who owns it and when it was bought.

[ali_alic]

Thank you all of you. It gives me somewhere to start!!

[jake-the-peg]

You may not find it on the land registry. They reckon only about 82% of property is registerred.

Is it an old property? IE before about 1850 if so it's almost certain to be listed. Try the historic buildings officer at the council.

Unfortunately you may find that the reason the building has been left go to ruin is because planning permission to replace it with more profitable houses or flats has been refused and it's been left to go derelict until the council has no choice but to permit it's demolition.

This is unfortunately too common a tactic used by money grubbing developers