Almost every property in the UK is owned by someone, whether it be a person, a company, the Government or the Crown. There are occasionally abandoned or unregistered properties, and these are sometimes derelict. Abandoned property and land can be claimed, but it is a complex process. Read on to find out more about the legalities of abandoned properties in the UK.
When is a Property Deemed Abandoned?
There are thousands of abandoned sites across the country, and some of these contain property. There is no set law about when precisely a property is considered to be abandoned. However, it does state that an abandoned property is one that the owner has intentionally given up to possess or claim the property. An abandoned property is a vacant building due to one of several possible reasons:
- The owner could have defaulted on mortgage payments
- The owner may have gone bankrupt
- The owner may have decided to leave the property for any number of reasons
- The owner inherited the property and could not be traced
Simply put, property abandonment is when a property owner willingly relinquishes their rights to the property, either by verbally confirming the abandonment or leaving the premises unsecured.
The UK’s Abandoned Property
In the UK, more than 200,000 properties are empty. Some have been empty for more than six months or even a year – a shocking thought considering the cost of living crisis and housing shortages. A large portion of these vacant properties is in coastal towns that suffer from high unemployment numbers. Still, there has been an increase in empty properties in London over recent years, as well as in Liverpool and Birmingham.
Vacant And Abandoned Properties – What’s the Difference?
A vacant property is one that is empty, with no apparent owner or tenant. A vacant property could potentially be vacant for years and still not be deemed abandoned. Examples of properties that may be empty for months at a time are holiday homes or military houses – these are not abandoned properties. Long-term vacant properties could negatively affect the value of nearby properties. However, they are still not considered abandoned unless the owner knowingly leaves the premises and gives up their rights.
Claiming Title to an Abandoned Property in the UK
To claim title to an abandoned property in the UK, the land must be fenced off for some years, during which time the owner can return and reclaim the property. They would need to prove legal title to do this.
Identifying Permanently Abandoned Property
Signs of a permanently abandoned property are a building that is boarded up or has suffered substantial structural damage. It may also have a messy and overgrown garden containing rubbish.
Contact Fleetwood Heir Hunters on 0208 9707486.