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Ownerless property

Ownerless goods

Last updated
19 Aug 2026

Ownerless goods (also known as 'bona vacantia') include:

  • assets (something which can be sold or taken) of dissolved companies
  • assets of missing people
  • lost or abandoned property

The King's and Lord Treasurer's Remembrancer (KLTR) deals with ownerless goods in Scotland.

If KLTR sells land or buildings at market value, the money goes to the Scottish Government.

KLTR may transfer ownerless land or buildings using the Ownerless Property Transfer Scheme (OPTS).

OPTS invites applications for public use from:

  • community groups
  • local councils
  • public organisations

KLTR recovers professional costs and expenses from OPTS. This is known as ‘nominal value’.

Find more information about ownerless property on the KLTR website.

Assets of missing people

The assets of missing people are usually:

  • land
  • buildings
  • cash in a bank or building society

If the owner is not easy to find the assets may fall to KLTR.

Assets of dissolved companies

KLTR is not responsible for any debts the company had when it dissolved.

If the asset is land or a building KLTR takes ownership subject to any Standard Security (like a mortgage).

Where there is a Standard Security the creditor can recover the amount of their loan from the sale of the property.

Administrative restoration

To restore a company without applying to a court in Scotland you need KLTR's written consent. KLTR will also charge a fee.

To make an application to restore the company you must first make sure that:

  • the company has been dissolved
  • the property is in Scotland
  • you're able to make the application

Check if a company has been dissolved on the Companies House website.

Companies are first struck off and then after 5 days are usually dissolved. If you make the application to restore your company before the 5 days are up, you do not need the written consent.

Get the consent application form on the KLTR website.

Send the application with a cheque for the fee to:

KLTR

Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service

25 Chambers Street

Edinburgh

EH1 1LA

Find out more about administrative restoration (including KLTR's fee) on the KLTR website.

You can also restore a company by applying to a court.

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