Right now, the government is sitting on nearly 8,000 homes, cars and other valuable items that were abandoned when their owners passed away. If an estate is still unclaimed after 30 years, it becomes permanent property of the Crown and the Treasury. The list of unclaimed estates is held by the government's Bona Vacantia Division and updated daily. "Wherever you are in the country, there are millions of pounds sitting unclaimed. Claim seekers who are related to the person via marriage cannot claim for the estate, however adopted relatives can.

Source: Daily Mirror October 20, 2020 14:36 UTC