Genealogy Chat

Does anybody know of a website that would help me find some rental properties in England that were owned by my family in the early 70's. An Aunt of mine died and unfortunately all the paperwork regarding these houses was either lost or destroyed. She lived in Manchester so the houses would have been in that area of the UK. Any tips would be much appreciated. Thanks Carol B.

Oh dear, well I hope you have more information than that about them? What solid info do you have - Manchester area must have a million homes. If she owned them then surely there would be a will with all the information?

If someone has lived in a property for 12 years or more with no contact from the owner or their agent, they can claim it legally.

I don't have any info other than that of her daughter (who is now deceased) who told me that her Mother used to go and collect the rent. They were hardly speaking when the Mother died, so she destroyed all her papers concerning these properties, and did not leave a will. A strange relationship. Thanks for your input, I just thought that there might be a way of tracing them as I do have towns/areas etc. Regards, Carol B

Carol If the lady who died did not leave a Will, then her affairs would be referred to the Intestacy Division of the Inland Revenue. Heather PT has the web address of this - I will ask her. OC

Land registry records might help too. Eileen

Possibly the local city council would have some record of who was paying rates/community charge then. Also what about trying the services such as electricity/gas/tv licence etc. Electoral role might be of use as I think you have to put who the house owner is, if you are renting. Not awfuly sure about this, but it sounds like an interesting detecting quest. Talking to local people/churches/schools/ corner shop/ branch post offices etc. I have found out lots of things this way, people love to talk and reminisce. Good luck Eileen

Hi, saw you taking my name in vain O.C. LOL. I dont think electoral rolls would help - they list the people in the house entitled to vote and who have to pay local rates - auntie would be neither, unless she had some special arrangement re the rates, normally the tenant pays those. And I think we are only talking about general locality here rather than exact addresses. The Treasury Office who deals with intestate property is Bona Vacantia: http://www.bonavacantia.gov.uk/ I think you have about 30 years in which to make a claim - so if you get anything, we all want a bit! However, Im concerned that you say auntie destroyed all the paperwork to do with these properties. Why would she do that? If she were still alive and kicking and able to destroy papers then surely she would still need those papers for herself? I think like many a family legend it may turn out auntie sold them before her death - so she may have had a bit of money - Id double check about the will - if she was not speaking to her daughter then said daughter would have been left out of it and so not known if one existed. But anyway, have a look at that site and send them an email.

Thanks for all your help. This is a very complicated situation, suffice to say my Aunt was an extremely difficult woman. She was living with my cousin at the time of her death and to put it mildly, they were not very close. My cousin came home one day to find that her Mother had shredded all her personal papers, old photographs etc. My Aunt was a very vindictive old lady and kept everything close to her chest. I feel I owe it to my cousin's memory to find out what I can. She is also dead so I do not have a lot to go on ,only things I have gleaned from other family members. She even destroyed bank account info etc. When I have more time and able to get over to the UK I will try and retrace addresses etc. Thanks again for all your input. Regards, Carol B.