Property Owner Advocate

Mission of the Unclaimed Property Division

The mission of the Unclaimed Property Program is to (a) reunite lost and abandoned property with their rightful owners and to (b) safeguard these properties from being used by private interests for personal gain. To enhance the efforts of the State Controller's Office in reuniting millions of Californians with their lost, forgotten or abandoned property, State Controller wrote the Property Owner Bill of Rights. For more information click here

Role of the Property Owner Advocate

The Property Owner Advocate's Office was created by State Controller to assist individuals, businesses and local governments who have been unable to resolve their property claims in a timely manner. The Advocate works with the claimant to use all administrative remedies available to resolve the claim. The Advocate also works with the Unclaimed Property Division to implement procedures and policies to continuously improve customer service.

If you are having difficulty getting your issue resolved through the standard review process, the Property Owner Advocate's Office is available to provide an independent review of your claim.