Buying an empty home

If you would like to buy an empty property, you will need to contact the current owner and negotiate a sale. 

Please note: we do not arrange for the sale of privately owned empty properties or accept any liability for negotiations between sellers and buyers.

How to trace an empty home owner

There are a number of steps you could take to trace the owner of an empty property.

Write a letter

Write a letter addressed to 'The Owner' and put it through the letterbox of the empty property. Sometimes owners will visit the property to collect post.

Visit the Land Registry

Land Registry has the details of registered owners of properties and as it is public information you can obtain the details for a minimal charge. However, not all properties are registered and many owners give their registered address as the empty one but you will be able to get a name. 

To search for property ownership information see GOV.UK - land registry.

People search sites

There are a number of people search websites that could help you to find out details for particular individuals, such as:

• Facebook
• 192.com 

Neighbours

Talk to neighbours of empty properties as they may have some useful information on owners or their relatives.

Probate sub-registry

Where an owner of a property has died relatives or executors may have applied to the GOV.UK - Probate Service Centre on 0300 303 0648, or by email contactprobate@justice.gov.uk. This is public information but you may have to pay a charge for the information you obtain.

Empty homes register

The empty homes register allows you to receive information about empty properties for sale. With an owner's permission we are able to send property details to those who have signed up to the register.

Please note: these properties often require repair and renovation in order for them to be returned to habitable use.

How to sign up

To sign up for the empty homes register just complete the online form:

Sign up for the empty homes register (buyers)

What happens next?

We will contact you as and when owners use us for advertising their empty properties. Alternatively you can apply to Land Registry for details of an empty property and follow your own enquiries.

Please note: Although we aim to ensure the information posted is correct, we take no responsibility for misleading or inaccurate property details nor accepts any liability for sales between private persons and/or organisations. We would recommend that you use the advice of your Solicitor throughout the process.