What is bona vacantia?
Bona vacantia literally translates as "ownerless goods".
What are "ownerless goods"?
In respect of the Companies work this means the beneficial assets that pass to the Crown on dissolution of a company.
My Bank account has been frozen. What should I do?
If you have continued or wish to continue trading the company must be restored. If the company has been dissolved and trading has ceased, we may in certain limited circumstances make a discretionary payment to former shareholders out of any money held in the company's Bank account without restoration of the company. Click here for further information on how to apply for a discretionary payment
There is some land at the end of my garden that I would like to buy but the owner cannot be found.
You should make enquiries at the appropriate District Land Registry to find out who is the registered owner of the land. If it is a company that has now been dissolved, you should write to us, stating the address of the property, the title number, and which District Land Registry gave you the information. Click here for further guidance on how to purchase land from the Treasury Solicitor
I am trying to sell my flat and have noticed that the freehold owner is a dissolved company leading to problems with the sale. What can I do?
The Freehold may have passed to the Crown on dissolution of the company. You and the other tenants maybe entitled to jointly purchase the freehold from the Treasury Solicitor. Click here for further guidance on how to purchase a freehold reversion from the Treasury Solicitor
My landlord company has been dissolved. Who is responsible for the building now?
We do not undertake any management responsibilities in respect of properties, nor do we insure such properties. You should take your own immediate independent legal advice regarding the insurance and management of the property. You and the other tenants may be entitled jointly to purchase the freehold of the building. Click here for further guidance on how to purchase a freehold reversion from the Treasury Solicitor
I have just heard that my company has been dissolved. How can I get my assets back?
All assets passing to the Treasury Solicitor are sold or disclaimed (excluding bank account balances). If you wish to regain ownership, you will therefore have to apply for restoration of the company, before we sell or disclaim them. Further guidance on the restoration of a company can be found using the following link and clicking on company restoration found at the bottom of the page under advice and guidance www.tsol.gov.uk.
I received a loan from a dissolved company that I have since repaid. However there remains a restriction on the title to my property. Can the Treasury Solicitor remove the restriction?
If the loan has been repaid, we are unable to execute the valid form for removing a restriction. You should write to the appropriate District Land Registry, who has authority to remove any defunct entries from the Register. When appropriate the Treasury Solicitor will write a letter confirming that the Crown has no objection to the removal of the restriction.
A company that has been dissolved owned the private roadway leading to my house. Would the Treasury Solicitor be willing to sell it?
The Treasury Solicitor usually disclaims roadways, together with any other type of land used in common with other adjoining owners. If disclaimed, you will receive a copy of the formal Notice of Disclaimer and will be given information on how you may pursue the matter further with the Crown Estate Commissioners.
I am a creditor of a dissolved company of which the Treasury Solicitor holds the assets. Would the Treasury Solicitor consider repaying the debt from the company's assets?
The Treasury Solicitor is not liable for a company's debts. You will have to restore the company if you wish to pursue the matter.
I am a solicitor and I have a residual balance on my client account which is due to my company client following the end of this firm's retainer. A company search has revealed that the company has been dissolved. What should I do with the money?
Under the Solicitors Accounts Rules 1998 Rule 22(2A) you are required to establish the identity of the owner of the money or make reasonable attempts to do so and return it to the rightful owner unless the reasonable costs of doing so are likely to be excessive in relation to the amount held. Any sums due to the dissolved company should be paid to the Treasury Solicitor under Section 654 of the Companies Act 1985 provided it falls within our jurisdiction.
I would like to buy a .uk domain name which was previously owned by a dissolved company, would the Treasury Solicitor deal with this?
No, this office no longer sells domain names. Any .uk domains are dealt with by Nominet UK who can be contacted at www.nominet.org.uk.
Squatters occupy a property previously owned by a dissolved company. What can be done by the Treasury Solicitor?
Usually we will bring legal proceedings to have the squatters evicted, following which the property will be sold.