Research reveals UK regions with the most unclaimed estates in the UK

Each year, numerous estates remain unclaimed, with potential heirs either unaware or unable to stake their claims. As of February 2026, there are over 5,000 unclaimed estates across the UK. If we consider that the average cost of a property in the UK is £270,259, and there are 5,472 such properties, the total estimated value of these unclaimed estates amounts to approximately £1,478,857,248.

In light of this, Weightmans, a leading UK law firm, explores the regions in the UK with the highest number of unclaimed estates and the legal fate of these assets and uncovers the reasons why so many estates remain unclaimed.

The Centre of Unclaimed Wealth in the UK

London tops the list of unclaimed estates in England, with a staggering 1,612 properties still awaiting heirs in the capital, reflecting its large population density for many years. Surrey follows in second place, with 283 estates left untouched, while the West Midlands ranks third with 253.

These unclaimed estates could represent a substantial sum of money for those entitled to them, with some remaining unresolved for decades. In fact, the longest-standing estate on the list dates back to 1974, highlighting the importance of ensuring your affairs are in order and your loved ones are aware of your estate plans.

Over half of the top 20 areas are situated in the South of the country, highlighting a regional disparity where potentially wealthier southern counties see more unclaimed estates than their northern counterparts.

London’s unclaimed estates are estimated to be worth over £1 billion

Estates in London that haven’t been claimed could have reached over £1 billion in value, the research suggests. With the average price in the Capital around £656,000, according to selling figures on Rightmove, unclaimed estates in the area could amount to £1,188,550,980 when joined together with the figures of London and Middlesex. 

The amount is 151% larger than the region ranked second, which is the South East. With the second-highest average home value across the UK, heirs in the South East could have an unclaimed estate value of around £473,079,104 combined, with the region being a popular hotspot for coastal properties and commuter towns. 

While the North East recorded the second-lowest number of unclaimed estates, lower average property prices mean the total value is predicted to be the lowest in the country. Despite this, unclaimed estates in the region could still amount to a significant £27,672,784.

Previous research from Weightmans highlighted the areas of the UK with the highest number of wills written. It revealed that over half of Brits don’t have a will, with areas such as London and the South West among the highest, at 57%, according to the National Wills Report. This stresses the importance of ensuring your affairs are in order so that your estate does not go unclaimed.

Most Common Surnames in Unclaimed Estates

The data from the unclaimed estates list reveals that certain surnames appear frequently, suggesting that these names are common in the population or may have higher incidences of unclaimed estates. The most common surname is "Smith", with 94 occurrences, followed by "Jones", "Brown", "Williams", and "Taylor".

Actionable Tips for Ensuring Your Estate is Claimed

• Creating a will is the most effective way to ensure that your estate is distributed according to your wishes and to the individuals or entities you care about most. This is especially crucial if you have few or no living relatives, as, without a will, your estate could potentially become unclaimed and revert to state ownership.
• In your will, you have the flexibility to specify precisely who should inherit your assets. These individuals or entities are known as the beneficiaries of your will. It’s important to note that beneficiaries do not need to be family members; you are free to include friends, life partners, charities, or other organisations that you wish to support.
• You can tailor the inheritance in your will with great precision: you might choose to leave particular items or fixed sums of money to certain beneficiaries, or you might decide to allocate percentages of your estate’s total value to different parties. This flexibility allows you to acknowledge and provide for the people and causes important to you in meaningful ways.
• By ensuring that your will is professionally drafted, you can avoid any ambiguity regarding your intentions. A clear, legally sound will eliminates uncertainty for your loved ones and simplifies the estate administration process, ensuring that your final wishes are honoured exactly as you envisioned. Thus, not only does a well-prepared will secure your legacy, but it also provides peace of mind to those you leave behind, knowing they are fulfilling your wishes without room for doubt or legal challenge.

Richard Bate at Weightmans comments: "Creating a will is more than just a legal necessity; it's a critical component of financial wellness. Without a clear will, you're leaving the fate of your assets up to the courts, which can lead to long, stressful disputes among your potential heirs. By taking proactive steps in estate planning and utilising available resources, individuals can significantly reduce the chances of their estates becoming unclaimed. Ensuring that your final wishes are clearly documented and legally protected not only secures your legacy but also eases the burden on your loved ones during a challenging time.”

Methodology

Data was taken from the government statistics of unclaimed estates as of mid-February 2026. Average house prices were taken from Rightmove. Each county was put into a region that matched the updated area list, due to some areas changing since the unclaimed estate was recorded; for example, Middlesex was combined with London. For the regional totals, unknown areas and areas outside of the UK were omitted from the results but were included in the overall figures.