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There is a derelict property down the road from me that I am interested in buying (long story). It is a former shop, but it closed many years ago, and there has been no evidence of activity there for a very long time.
I have searched on the .gov land registry, and have learned only that it is a leasehold, and that there is an 'easement' (I have no idea what that means), but what I really want is to ask someone (anyone!) if there is any interest in selling.
Any ideas how I might go about this? If I asked a local estate agent, would they be able to locate the owner and facilitate a conversation? Or is it a matter of me having to do the investigative work on my own?
Would the local council know? They must have been getting rates paid from it when it was open...
there is an ‘easement’ (I have no idea what that means),
An archaic term for a WC is a 'House of Easement'. But in property terms it probably relates to rights of access to the owner of the land that the property leases - a right of access for maintainance probably or it might be there access granted for neighbouring properties - for instance the house I'm buying just now is the end of a terrace has an easement to allow the next door neighbour access through my garden to get his bins out. It may of course mean theres permission for the lease holder or a neighbouring property to make use of your loo.
Would the local council know? They must have been getting rates paid from it when it was open…
The rates would be paid by an occupant but thats not necessarily the owner - its quite unusual for businesses to own their premises. A business owning their premises would sell up when they wound down - they wouldn't want a liability sitting there when theres no income. So more likely any previous occupants were renting.
The rates would be paid by an occupant but thats not necessarily the owner – its quite unusually for businesses to own their premises.
This may be an odd one, in that the business is actually an add-on to what was once an end-of-terrace house. I had heard that it was a long-standing family business, and so assumed that the family had also lived above it at one time. I could be wrong though. I also heard that the business owner had fairly severe mental health issues, which is why he just sort of abandoned it and never returned.
I don't know if any such assumptions or rumours - if true - would have any effect on my search, but they may be worth factoring in.
Around 15 percent of land in England and Wales is unregistered so often it is not known who owns it, eventually it can be taken into crown ownership but mostly doesn't happen.
I thought that the land registry site gave you the owners details if you paid £3?
https://www.gov.uk/search-property-information-land-registry
Move in, see who complains.
Move in, see who complains.
This would've been my response as well. This might be a good place to start though
https://www.gov.uk/get-information-about-property-and-land
I thought that the land registry site gave you the owners details if you paid £3?
https://www.gov.uk/search-property-information-land-registry
/blockquote>It does, if the land is registered, which about 15% isn't.
As above, start with a land registry search. You can use the map search to find the property. That should give a drop down list of deeds. Some are quite vague like "land to west of acacia ave" others are more specific. If it's there hopefully it'll be clear. From there you can download the site plan for £3 to check you have the right place and the title for another £3 to see who owns it.
It might not be on there, in which case it'll probably be a case of asking older locals for clues.
You might need planning permission to convert to residential use, as well, so it might worth contacting the local planning dept. I know there’s an empty shop near us and they’ve had permission refused to convert to residential use.
i may have kept an old email (mebbes 5 or 6 years ago now) from someone on here that could search property owners details, want me to try getting in touch to see if hes still about?
Did you ask the neighbours?
Could you approach a local solicitor who you know has done conveyancing and se if they can advise?
If it’s any help to you I can confirm it’s not mine
You won’t be voiding the warranty by replacing the BB
unless you break the frame doing so
Mystery solved as a result of some of your advice. Thank you.
I was able to identify the property on the Land Registry website, and although it cost me a whopping £3, I was able to get the name and address of the owner.
I have now written them a letter enquiring as to whether or not they might sell.
Fingers crossed!
Look up white box property on YouTube. One of their longer videos ribs through the basics of finding out if lands property is available for sale
Now I'm intrigued.
No-one knows who owns our house. It's leasehold but the leaseholder is not known. Possibly the Duke of Devonshire but who knows, maybe he lost it in a game of cards.
It me. I won it fair and square in a game of cards. I hereby claim my right to use your toilet
No-one knows who owns our house. It’s leasehold but the leaseholder is not known.
You mean land, not house… hopefully you (or your landlord if rented) own the property. Otherwise… you’re Quids in!
And also I doubt the Devonshires own your lease, that bunch of money grabbing bar stewards would never let a pound go unclaimed!
No-one knows who owns our house. It’s leasehold but the leaseholder is not known.
My old house was leasehold. It caused a delay when I was selling. The last time the levy was collected it was (I assume for the whole block) one pound, four shillings and sixpence.
Is it this place in Canton by any chance?
guide price of £199,000
Seriously???
The bikes will contribute a good £20 with a strong ebay wind
Seriously???
Auction guide prices are usually very low compared to what they think it'll actually go for.