The Riddle House

[innermurk]

No: HPFGUIDX 56192

Ok,
So I'm re-reading GOF and I started wondering about the Riddle House.
It went through several owners after the Riddle family was killed, 
and then a wealthy man bought it, but never moved in and the 
neighbors think he's keeping it for tax purposes. However, he still 
keeps Frank as the gardener/groundskeeper.

So, who owns the house?
My first few times through the book, I'd always assumed that 
Voldemort is the one who bought it, but it struck me that if it were 
him, why wouldn't he know about Frank being there when he came back 
to use it? Ok, he might've forgotten he's been paying someone to care 
for the house (well I assume he's being paid anyway) or maybe he 
didn't know that was who Frank was, or quite likely he just didn't 
care. Anyway, how *is* he paying Frank (I can't see him living there 
without any income, he has to live somehow). Someone who is just a 
shadow can't pump out a paycheck every week/month/whatever.

So, if Voldemort isn't the one who owns the house, who does?
I thought of L. Malfoy first. He is wealthy, and Voldemort calls him 
his slippery *friend* Maybe he endeared himself to V. by securing the 
property that Voldemort thought was rightfully his?

I guess a common muggle richman could live there, but that's not much 
fun to speculate on.

Anyway, I just wanted to throw this question out to see if I've 
missed something, or if anyone has any theories on it?

Innermurk