Insights: property data
Unclaimed estates list 2026: Berkshire, Bedfordshire and London
There are 5,460 estates on the government’s unclaimed estates list for England and Wales, each left by someone who died without a valid will and with no known relatives to inherit. The J Scott Unclaimed Estates Tracker, based on the list published on 12 November 2026, found 57 where the person died in Berkshire, 53 in Bedfordshire, 37 in Buckinghamshire and 1,571 in London, almost three in ten of the whole list.
Last updated November 2026 | By Tamseel Din, Director, J Scott & Co Solicitors
- Unclaimed estates in England and Wales
- 5,460
- In London, 29% of the list
- 1,571
- In Berkshire
- 57
- How long relatives have to claim
- 30 years
How many unclaimed estates are there near you?
| Place of death | Estates on the list |
|---|---|
| London | 1,571 |
| Tower Hamlets (Whitechapel, Mile End, Bow, Stepney, Poplar) | 59 |
| Berkshire | 57 |
| of which Reading | 18 |
| of which Slough | 16 |
| Bedfordshire | 53 |
| Luton | 25 |
| Buckinghamshire | 37 |
| Milton Keynes | 11 |
Most of the Tower Hamlets entries (32) are in Whitechapel, home of the Royal London Hospital, which shows how the list records where someone died rather than where they lived.
How the list has changed over time
The list holds estates for 30 years after the date of death. Around 150 to 200 people who died in each recent year are on it.
| Year of death | Estates on the list |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 206 |
| 2021 | 175 |
| 2022 | 160 |
| 2023 | 159 |
| 2024 | 152 |
| 2025 | 172 |
| Year of death | Estates |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 206.0 |
| 2021 | 175.0 |
| 2022 | 160.0 |
| 2023 | 159.0 |
| 2024 | 152.0 |
| 2025 | 172.0 |
Recent years will grow as more estates are referred, so we track the list every month.
How to search the unclaimed estates list
- 1Download the list from GOV.UK (search "unclaimed estates list"). It is a spreadsheet file, updated every working day.
- 2Search by surname and by place of death. The list shows the name, date of death and place of death.
- 3If you think you are related, gather birth, marriage and death certificates that show the family link.
- 4Send a family tree and copies of the certificates to the Bona Vacantia Division of the Government Legal Department.
You do not have to pay anyone to make a claim. Firms that contact you offering to find an inheritance for a share of it are optional.
Make sure your estate goes where you want. Talk to us about a will
Who inherits if there is no will?
The intestacy rules decide. In order: a spouse or civil partner; then children (or grandchildren if a child has died); then parents; then brothers and sisters; then half-brothers and half-sisters; then grandparents; then aunts and uncles (or their children). If nobody in those groups can be found, the estate passes to the Crown as "bona vacantia", meaning ownerless goods.
An unmarried partner, a stepchild or a close friend inherits nothing under the intestacy rules, however long the relationship.
What happens to an estate nobody claims
The Bona Vacantia Division deals with the estate, lists it, and holds it for relatives to claim for up to 30 years from the date of death. Claims made within 12 years can also receive interest on money held. After 30 years the estate stays with the Crown.
How to make sure your estate goes where you want
A will is the only way to choose who receives your estate. It matters most if you live with a partner you are not married to, have stepchildren, have no close family, or want to leave something to a friend or a charity. It also lets you choose your executors and guardians for children.
How we worked this out
We downloaded the unclaimed estates list published on GOV.UK by the Bona Vacantia Division on 12 November 2026 and counted entries by the place of death recorded on the list and by year of death. Place of death is often a hospital or care home, so it can differ from where the person lived. Some entries give only a town, so county counts include entries that name the county. The list changes daily as estates are added, claimed or reach the 30-year limit. We do not publish names. We update these figures every month.
Cite this data
J Scott & Co Solicitors, Unclaimed Estates Tracker, November 2026, jscottlegal.co.uk/insights/unclaimed-estates-list.
Frequently asked questions
What is the unclaimed estates list?
A list published on GOV.UK by the Bona Vacantia Division of the Government Legal Department. It shows people who died without a valid will and with no known entitled relatives, with their name, date of death and place of death. It is updated every working day.
Who inherits if there is no will?
The intestacy rules set the order: a spouse or civil partner, then children, then parents, then brothers and sisters, then more distant relatives. An unmarried partner does not inherit. If no entitled relative is found, the estate goes to the Crown.
Can I claim an estate on the list?
If you think you are related, send the Bona Vacantia Division a family tree with birth, marriage and death certificates proving the link. Claims can be made up to 30 years after the date of death.
How many unclaimed estates are there in Berkshire?
As of 12 November 2026, 57 estates on the list recorded the place of death as Berkshire, including 18 in Reading and 16 in Slough.
How do I stop my estate going to the Crown?
Make a will. It is the only way to be sure your estate goes to the people or causes you choose, especially if you are not married, have no children or are estranged from family.
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