More than a hundred properties across Ealing have been left without known heirs, placing the borough among London’s top areas for unclaimed estates.
Research by Property Buyers Today, using UnclaimedEstates.com records, places Ealing 11th out of 33 London boroughs, with 105 unclaimed estates – 28.68 per 100,000 residents.
When someone dies without leaving a will or any known relatives, their estate passes to the Crown under bona vacantia rules. Families can still come forward to claim the assets for up to 12 years after the Treasury Solicitor takes them over.
Neighbouring boroughs show sharp contrasts. Hammersmith & Fulham ranks 5th, recording 96 unclaimed estates – 51.28 per 100,000 residents, among the highest rates in the capital. Harrow is 18th, with 45 estates – 16.86 per 100,000 residents; Hillingdon sits 20th, with 48 estates – 13.78 per 100,000; and Brent ranks 25th, with 33 estates – 9.15 per 100,000 residents, one of London’s lowest totals.
Across the city, Westminster tops the table with 171 unclaimed estates – 83.38 per 100,000 residents, followed by Camden, which has 173 estates – 82.23 per 100,000 residents. Kensington & Chelsea is third with 101 estates – 64.61 per 100,000 residents, while the City of London (5 estates – 58.02 per 100,000) and Hammersmith & Fulham complete the top five.
Saif Derzi, founder of Property Buyers Today, said: “These figures show significant variations across London, with central boroughs like Westminster and Camden showing much higher rates of unclaimed estates. The statistics suggest there could be millions in unclaimed assets across London that rightful heirs may be entitled to.”
