Ownership of Property

[cheekycow]

There is an old boarded up property closeby that I am interested in buying. I have contacted the land registered there is no registered owner, I have been to the council they have no records of the address. I have been to the library and found out the last owners name, they lived there up until 1995.

I have wrote to the probate registry, the planning department & the environmental health. Still waiting to hear back from them. Has anybody got any idea what I could do next?

[DMS]

I had a similar query and posted flyers through the 10 houses each side and over the road. I ended up with several 'third age' residents who recalled the owner and the reason it was boarded up. Very helpful!

[cheekycow]

I have been round the neighbours & nobody knows who owns the house. I think I already have more information than them! I don't really want to notify too many people either because I don't want anybody else to jump in there first.

[mycatis]

dont know sorry, but let us know how you get on, there is an empty house round here that I like too.

[noxlumos]

Hi, Part of my business involves "claiming" property by adverse possession. It's still fairly simple although the law changed in 2002 and made things a little more awkward but really only if the land registry knows who owns it.

My suggestion is to do some very simple repairs to it and get a receipt and start using the property for something. Don't spend a fortune in case an owner pops up wondering what the hell you are doing ( it does happen) but use it and get a start date so that you know when you are counting from up until the time you can apply to the land registry.I always put my contact details on a bit of laminate on the door or gate so people can get in touch with me.Some people will get in touch and ask if you have bought it. I always dodge that question if possible and just state that it is mine, which is true enough for the time they've asked.I have succesfully claimed properties and have been unsuccessful with a few as well, but by far the simplest thing is to simply start using it.

If the police turn up and want to know what you are doing ( usually courtesy of nosey neighbours) refer them to your solicitor and state that there is a dispute about ownership ( quite true) and he's dealing with it for you and they will go away as at that point it becomes a civil matter.

Don't spend a lot of money but make sure you use it and if you are lucky you'll get it for nothing:) Good luck.

[Kos]

Either get some Traveller friends or pitch a tent yourself on the property- you'll soon find out if anybody has an interest in it!