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We go past countless homes in our neighbourhoods each day. Most blend into the background with daily routines but every so often, one stands out for all the wrong reasons. Across the UK, more than 260,000 residential properties sit vacant long-term. Left unattended, these unclaimed homes often fall into disrepair, becoming eyesores, health hazards, and sources of frustration for nearby residents. For local councils, unclaimed properties are a persistent challenge.
But what happens when the owner of a property passes away intestate and with no known next of kin?
No Next of Kin
In cases where someone dies intestate (without a will) and without any known next of kin, their estate goes unclaimed. With no one to take responsibility, the property can remain empty and become derelict.
How Properties Are Left Unclaimed
- No will in place: Without a legal will, the estate is handled under intestacy rules, which may not reflect the deceased’s wishes and can delay the process.
- Estranged families: When someone loses touch with family or friends, there’s often no next of kin to handle their affairs after they pass.
- Relatives living abroad: Distance, language barriers, and unfamiliar legal systems can make managing an overseas estate extremely difficult.
- Multiple properties: Owners with second homes may leave one unused for long periods, especially if it’s inherited or in need of repairs.
Blanchards Assisting the Public Sector
Local authorities are often left to manage unclaimed estates from arranging public health funerals, securing derelict properties, and trying to locate missing next of kin. It can be a time-consuming and costly process. We work closely with Blanchards, who specialise in tracing next of kin for the public sector.
Probate Property Service Role
Empty properties can become safety hazards by attracting pests and antisocial behaviour. This can cause emotional and financial stress for neighbours and lower the overall value of the surrounding area.
Our services include assists with probate property tasks such as property management, house clearance, contents valuation and ultimately sale and distribution. We’re here to help make the process of managing a probate estate less overwhelming and bring homes back to life.
Final Thoughts
Finding the next of kin can not only resolve an unclaimed estate, but also bring an empty property back into use. At Probate Property Services we specialise in handling probate properties and hoarder homes, offering tailored support every step of the way. Through our partnership with Blanchards, we’re able to extend even more legal assistance by finding missing next of kin.
Please contact us if you wish to report an empty property.
