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please help

my dad died nearly 8 years ago, he and my mum lived in a council house for over 30 years, dads name was on the rent book, my mum died in april last year after being in hospital for 7 months, when she died the council had sent a firm of electricians to rewire her house, i had to give them her key to access the property as she lived there alone. the electricians held the key until they returned it to me in june, i have 7 children and work full time and couldn't empty the house until august. the council are now taking me to court for all the rent even though i couldn't get in as i didn't have another key. am i liable as my name is not on the rent book???

Comments

  • poppy10_2
    poppy10_2 Posts: 6,588 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    kimmciver wrote: »
    am i liable as my name is not on the rent book???
    I doubt it. Did you sign any agreement with the council agreeing to take over the lease or agreeing to empty the property within a set period of time?
    poppy10
  • poppysarah
    poppysarah Posts: 11,522 Forumite
    Sadly IME the council give you a week to clear out a property after a death.
    They usually charge rent until they get the property back.
  • lincroft1710
    lincroft1710 Posts: 19,093 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    When you say "all the rent", do you mean from when she went into hospital until Aug 2008, or from when she died until Aug? Are they bringing the action against "kimmciver" or against either Personal Representative or Executor(s) of late Mrs .... ?
    If you are querying your Council Tax band would you please state whether you are in England, Scotland or Wales
  • they want rent from when she died and it's against kim mciver, they say its not their fault i gave the key to electricians and had a job getting it back but they sent electricians in, i dont know what to do!!!!
  • no, i didn't sign anything!!!!
  • lincroft1710
    lincroft1710 Posts: 19,093 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    I think the position the council are taking is that you inherited your mother's estate (i.e. her possessions) and used council property (her house) to store them until you decided/were able to remove them. They therefore want rent from you for the use of their property.

    I would see if you can get some legal advice, some solicitors operate a free half hour interview. Don't instruct a solicitor unless you're absolutely positive you are not liable for this rent and you could ask court to award you costs to pay his fee.

    Unfortunately I don't think your reasons for not clearing the house sooner will get much sympathy or understanding from council.
    If you are querying your Council Tax band would you please state whether you are in England, Scotland or Wales
  • Pssst
    Pssst Posts: 4,803 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts
    hey will be seeking to claim from her estate. Does she have anything? If not,simply write back to them and confirm this.

    As you are not the tenant,it really isnt your problem. I assume you live elsewhere?
This discussion has been closed.
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