The UK government has revised guidelines covering certain land, buildings and property interests classified as bona vacantia, including updated indicative charges for property valuations.
The Bona Vacantia Division announced the changes on Monday, affecting guidance on referring potentially ownerless land or buildings and applications to purchase a freehold reversion.
The division said the revisions reflect increases in indicative charges associated with District Valuer fees where a valuation is required.
Bona vacantia refers to property that has no legal owner. In England and Wales, certain ownerless properties can pass to the Crown and are administered through the Bona Vacantia Division.
The updated BVC2 guidance covers the process for referring land or buildings that may fall within the division’s remit, while BVC4 concerns applications to buy a freehold reversion.
The government clarified that the changes do not alter the underlying rules governing what qualifies as bona vacantia.
Instead, the revisions specifically incorporate increased indicative District Valuer charges for valuations involving land, buildings, freehold reversions or leasehold reversions.
The updated guidance is intended for individuals and organizations dealing with property interests under the division’s remit.
The changes therefore focus mainly on valuation-related charges and procedures rather than changing the legal framework governing bona vacantia property.
