To just use the decade long abandoned house on my street?

[CheekyBeggar]

I moved into my house ten years ago, and noticed an empty house with a badly grown garden opposite us.

The house has never had anyone come into or out if it. The garden was overgrown to the point that you couldn’t see the front door but apart from that the house appears sound. I was originally concerned that it was an elderly neighbour so went around to check.

I say the garden ‘was’ overgrown because about five years ago I’d had enough and I started clearing the front out. I’ve been doing it regularly to keep it ok ish looking.

I’ve reported it to the council three times, they say they haven’t got the ‘funds’ available to do anything about it.

I’ve contacted the land registry and tried to chase down the prior owner, but from what I can gather they had the house repossessed, by a mortgage/debt company that has since folded and that I can’t contact either.

My neighbour must have gotten confused and today when I was tidying up the fly tipping that happens regularly outside there, he demanded to know when I was going to do something with the place. He thought that I owned it.

When I told dh this he said he’d been looking it up and that we should just change the locks on the house (the back foot has been open for some time, some youths broke into it a few years ago. I boarded it up and left it.) and claim squatters rights in ten years.

I’ve googled it myself and it all looks very complicated and I don’t really understand how it can be legal? But it’s always been such an eyesore that I must admit the idea of going in and tidying it up does appeal to me.

Or are there other avenues I could go down instead? I’ve tried a few companies who say they will deal with abandoned hoses but they all seem to be based in London, we are much further north.

Ah,I see ! Thanks Emma for clearing that up .

Well this thread has made me get off my arse and try to find a solicitor who will be willing to take on my property issue that has been running for 5 years so far. So thank you OP.

Cheers for explaining more clearly Emma. What I was very poorly trying to say, was I wasn't sure if any Tom, Dick or Harriet could ask the Crown's solicitors to declare Bona Vacantia.

Gallic - Yes anyone can ask although a lot of the time the Crown won't be interested. I am in Scotland though so only have experience of the QLTR so it might be slightly different here.(although I.am not aware of that being the case).

Fair dos Dagenham. You're very lucky!!!

@gallicgirl I've had a go at reading the Gov site info on Empty Dwellings legislation . Am I right in thinking this only applies to residential property ?

There is a pub near me ( with large garden and car park ) which is owned by Dulwich Estate ,a charity ,with a tenant paying rent ,7 years left on lease .It has been boarded up for several years .

It's hard to understand why the local council doesn't take some action to possess the site for housing .

But guessing things are complicated .Wondered if the Empty Dwellings legislation could apply ?

Hmmm interesting idea and I have no idea.
In my experience, councils prefer a collaborative approach rather than enforcement because it costs less. Also, the costs of any action means councils tend to prioritise properties which are causing problems so if your empty dwelling is maintained and secure, they're unlikely to do anything.

I don't know about other areas but in the town I live in, it can be difficult to let commercial dwellings due to the levels of rent and business rates. The relaxation of planning laws a few years ago has helped by allowing developers to convert empty commercial property to residential property.

Have you tried approaching the owner to see what their intentions are? Or maybe raise it with your councillor to see if the council can bring pressure on the owner. It's always worth asking the business rates department if they're aware that the premises are empty. Any commercial premises occupied by a charity attracts a reduction in business rates but an unoccupied premise would attract a full charge after the initial empty exemption.