By Sandra Kenneth
The UK government’s Bona Vacantia Division has issued updated guidance for handling ownerless land, buildings, and property interests across England and Wales, introducing higher indicative charges for official property valuations.
The revisions specifically update two core operational documents:
BVC2 Guidance: Details the process for referring land or buildings suspected of being bona vacantia.
BVC4 Guidance: Outlines procedures for submitting applications to buy a freehold reversion.
According to official notices, the update reflects increases in District Valuer fees when formal property valuations are required for land, buildings, or freehold and leasehold reversions.
Understanding Bona Vacantia
Bona vacantia refers to ownerless property—including land, physical structures, and corporate assets—that has no identifiable legal owner. In England and Wales, such assets automatically pass to the Crown and fall under the administration of the Treasury Solicitor’s Bona Vacantia Division.
Individuals frequently affected by these rules include relatives of individuals who died intestate (without leaving a valid will). If legal next of kin fail to claim these estates within specified statutory timeframes, the assets risk permanent forfeiture to the Crown.
Officials clarified that while the underlying legal definition and ownership rules regarding bona vacantia remain unchanged, the newly published terms apply to all ongoing and future transactions requiring District Valuer assessments. The revised frameworks target solicitors, property buyers, developers, and individuals navigating unclaimed real estate within the division’s jurisdiction.
