UK updates guidelines on unclaimed land, buildings
The UK government has published revised guidelines for dealing with certain land, buildings and property interests that become bona vacantia, including updated indicative charges for property valuations.
The Bona Vacantia Division on Monday announced the revisions on its website, covering its “Refer Bona Vacantia Land or Buildings (BVC2)” and “Apply to buy a Freehold Reversion (BVC4)” guidelines.
The division said the changes were made to reflect increases in the indicative charges associated with District Valuer fees where a valuation is required.
According to the notice, the revised guidelines incorporate “increases in the indicative charges relating to the District Valuer fees” in cases where a valuation is required for land or buildings, or for a freehold or leasehold reversion.
Bona vacantia refers to property that has no legal owner.
In England and Wales, certain ownerless property can pass to the Crown and is administered through the Bona Vacantia Division.
PUNCH Online in a 2025 report noted that many Nigerians and other nationals who died intestate (without a will) risk their asset forfeited if they remain unclaimed by a legal next of kin over a certain period of time.
The revised BVC2 guidance concerns the process for referring land or buildings that may be bona vacantia, while BVC4 relates to applications to buy a freehold reversion.
According to the release, the Home Office notice did not announce a change to the underlying rules on what constitutes bona vacantia.
Rather, it specifically stated that the “guidelines had been revised to incorporate the increased indicative District Valuer charges.”
The updated guidance is intended for “people dealing with land, buildings, freehold reversions or leasehold reversions that fall within the Bona Vacantia Division’s remit.”
