The 124 unclaimed estates in Lambeth - could one be yours?

From Brixton to Streatham, the estates are tied to local addresses and now sit with the Government.

They are classed as "bona vacantia" — ownerless goods — until a rightful heir comes forward.

If someone dies without a valid will and no entitled next of kin can be found, their money, property and other assets go to the Crown.

Relatives have up to 30 years from the death to claim a possible inheritance, but many do not know they can.

How unclaimed estates in Lambeth go to the Crown

The unclaimed estates are spread across Lambeth and belong to people who died at home, in hospital or in care.

They were real Lambeth residents — from Stockwell to Clapham and Norwood — not just names on a list.

It ranges from Rodolfo Allegra, who died in Vauxhall on November 8, 2012, to Carlos Allen, who died in Lambeth on October 14, 2012 — and it stretches back decades.

Mario Grimaldi died in Kennington on November 11, 1988, and his estate is still unclaimed.

Examples from Lambeth's unclaimed estates list

Edith Darvas’s estate has been unclaimed since July 15, 1996, and James Dolan’s since April 5, 1996.

More recent cases include Pater Coyle, who died in Upper Norwood on December 13, 2018, and Patricia Hainey, who died there on August 20, 2016.

The list spans at least 126 surnames, underlining Lambeth’s diversity.

Surnames on the list include Allegra, Allen, Appleby, Azzopardi, Balogun, Bell, Berchi, Binns, Bobb, Bond and Botka.

If you share a surname or recognise a relative’s full name, place and date of death, it is worth checking.

Who can claim an unclaimed estate

To claim, you must be a relative entitled under intestacy rules.

That usually means a spouse or civil partner, child, parent or sibling, and sometimes more distant blood relatives.

To claim, you will need documents such as birth, marriage and death certificates to prove your link.

You may also need a family tree or other records.

Claims are usually accepted up to 30 years after the death.

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How to claim via the Bona Vacantia Division

Claim within 12 years of the estate being fully dealt with and you may get interest; after 30 years, the Crown keeps it for good.

If you think one is linked to your family, check the Government’s unclaimed estates list, check you qualify under intestacy rules, then contact the Bona Vacantia Division with the BV reference number and proof.

The unclaimed estates list is updated regularly as new cases are added and others are claimed.

Anyone in Brixton, Clapham, Stockwell, Streatham, Norwood or wider Lambeth should check the latest records if they suspect a relative died without a will.

Claims in Lambeth and across England and Wales are handled by the Bona Vacantia Division of the Government Legal Department at PO Box 7506, London SW1E 6RZ.

Without action, the estates will stay with the Crown.