Squatters empty houses and the unknown

[failingmammalian]

Would you buy a house that was next door but one to a house that's been empty for about three years since an old mentally ill lady sadly died there? It's all boarded up . Am I mad to leap the conclusion it will become a crack den? I guess it would have done by now if it were going to? What else to think about? I know the powerful collective musmnet brain will think of stuff! Thanks and happy hols to all

I may be going mad but I think there may be a government body that deals with these empty houses, tries to establish ownership and get them sold.
Somebody may know more.

Am I mad to leap the conclusion it will become a crack den?
yes

Squatting is now a criminal offence so anyone who tries to take it over could be looking at a prison sentence if reported. 7to25 is correct, there is an Empty Homes Agency but I think it is more of a pressire groip than a government body however local authorities have targets regarding getting empty homes reoccupied.

If it were me, I'd probably be trying to buy yhe abandoned house cheaply rather than its neighbour .

it could be tied up in property/ inheritance issues eg trying to establish who the legal heir is etc. Or maybe there's an executor who is not in that much of a hurry. The question is how do you find out? The council may be able to provide some info.

Thanks for all this. I was surprised at councils response which was if it's not council we don't know about it ... Odd. Anyway thanks for help