house inheritance, but no deeds ANYWHERE incl Land Registry, and squatter in place

[fizzbuzz]

Please please can anyone help? Am going round in circles.

My grandmas sister died about 30 years ago. She left no will, and had no children. My grandmas children (incl my mum were her nearest next of kin)

The family has tried repeatedly to claim the house. However there is no record of the deeds anywhere, not even in the Land Registry. Solicitors seem reluctant to take it on, and we are scared of cost, so we nevr get anywhere.

A squatter has moved in and registered his claim with Land Registry. But we can't get him out, or prove it is ours without the deeds........and there is no deeds.

Whew! You are all being fantastic, thanks so much.

Have contacted land reigstry, but have had no reply as yet.

Will investigate Land Charges, but need to find Aunt's surname. I only knew her as Aunty Betty .

Hula, do you mind me emailing you? Cannot do it tonight as too knackered. Dd woke up 7 times last night, full day teaching bored adolescents, and parent's evening tomorrow evening , so am struggling to string 2 words together.

You are allgiving me so much great advice. Should have come on here straight away insted of having row with db!

Hmmm inheritance tax, forgot about that little gem

Hmmm inheritance tax, forgot about that little gem

Fizzbuzz - not at all, email away. DH can offer advice as to what your next steps may be, depending on the info you allhave, etc. He can also advice over what the legal fees would be like if you decided to go ahead (with whatever firm you chose) and take it further, and what your chances of winning might be like, if possible to assess.

Have you contacted the council for the area - someone must have been paying local taxes/rates based on the property value. They should have old rates registers even if they've been microfiched by now. You can bet your bottom dollar if they'd not been paid then someone would have been jumping up and down, letters would have been written etc. Paying rates would at least indicate that they considered themselves 'in charge of' the house and might help to strengthen your case.

What about BT? Is there a historical record of a telephone number at the property? Photos? A bit desperate maybe but all add to evidence?
Long shot but is there any chance she or her parents were in the house in 1901 so could look at census? Doesn't prove anything but shows house was occupied by family?

Thinking, thinking...

Also try Birth & Death records for evidence. Does her death certificate show her address - it should do even if she died in hospital? Did she give birth to any children whilst living there? Again any certificates may give her home address. You can get copies of these from the General Register Office or her local register office.