deceased council tax bill arrears!!

snoop2008

My brother passed away last december. He lived in bournemouth and I live in London. He was a council tenant of bournemouth council. I informed the benefits department of his death 7th December.

I have never lived with him but only made the call to let them know he had passed away.

I have received an arrears of council tax he owes. Do I have to pay his bill. He was to sole tenant for his property and not owned, but rented.

Any advice appreciated.

Thanks.

dmg24

His estate would be liable for the outstanding payment.

bengal-stripe

Debts are payed by the estate (if there is one).

snoop2008

Thanks, he had some savings to pay for his funeral, thats all he had. I recevied a letter stating that the balifs will be coming to my home to recover the amount even though I already informed the council tax department of his death. I have been so worried.

jonesMUFCforever

Yoiu have nothing to fear - bailiffs can only enter with a court order. If they turn up they will probably be debt collectors which is a different thing.
You are not liable for your brother's debts.

System

I would suggest that you follow the Council's complaints procedure
You could also get in touch with touch with his former councillor/s

Some teletubby working in the council will have updated his details with your address.

snoop2008 wrote: »

Thanks, he had some savings to pay for his funeral, that's all he had. I received a letter stating that the bailiffs will be coming to my home to recover the amount even though I already informed the council tax department of his death. I have been so worried.

snoop2008

Thank you all so much for your support and reasurance. I have not being able to sleep and it has been a worrying time as with all bereavements.

Once again, thank you all. I haven't been on for ages, and can not remember how to use the 'thank you' .

snoop2008

Oh , silly me, I found it.

zzzLazyDaisy

I am sorry for your loss.

My sister died very suddenly and unexpectedly, in her 30's, leaving only debts. I phoned the housing association a day or two later and told them I'd be closing the flat up and bringing the keys back. I was told that I had to give a month's notice. They insisted that the fact that she was dead didn't alter that, and if I didn't pay they'd take me to court.

Stupidly I was in such shock that I paid it - and I'm a solicitor!!!!!

I still shake my head and wonder what got into me!

This is not your debt, and you are not responsible for paying it.

snoop2008

Oh thank you very much Lazydaisy, I am also sorry for your loss. I have never being in this situation before and it has being very stressful. I can not understand how one department insist on sending me letters to pay. I feel like yourself underpressure and we can be intimidated into paying when vulnerable. I nearly did, and remembered this site!! thank god, because If anyone could give me the right advice , it's this place.

It was such a shock, as my brother was coming home for xmas and he had callapsed and lay dead for two weeks before I became suspicious and my world callapsed around me. Luckily for me, my brother had a very good council worker who gave me an extra week to sort things out.

It is just this tax bill that caused me so much stress and worries, that I actually thought I was losing the plot. Thanks very much for your support also and I wish you well also.

McKneff

I just loved your post 'oh silly me, I found it' It made me smile.
Bless, hope you have peace of mind now although I know your sense of loss will be with you a long time. At least one problem has been resolved.

regards
Annie