Surprise rent bill

BIGEYE

My mother died in hospital towards the end of November last year, and at that time I informed Viewpoint Housing association of her death as this is who my mother was renting her flat. The majority of her rent was paid by housing benefit.
When my mother died, she had little money, no insurance and no assets. Her funeral was organised and paid for by the council, who became the executors of her estate. I handed over to the executors her bank account details and some uncashed pension cheques.
I have now received a letter from Viewpoint Housing association advising that there is outstanding rent to pay. This outstanding rent seems to be for the month following my mothers death, as her housing benefit would have been stopped from date of death.
As I am next of kin, am I liable to pay this outstanding rent bill?

TIA

horsechestnut

No, just send them a polite letter stating that she died without assets and enclose a copy of her death certificate.
I had a similar thing with my mother, it's just the admin system catching up with itself.

BitterAndTwisted

No, you are not. Any rent due will need to be paid out of your mother's estate. These kinds of bills do not get passed down onto relatives. Not even relatives who inherit nothing. Tell them to sling their hooks or contact the executors.

the_cat

In short, no not unless you have received an inheritance. Dealing with this is part of the executors job, so pass it on to them to deal with. If there is not the funds to cover it within her effects (assuming it is actually due and not an oversight) then the debt 'dies' along with the person. It cannot be passed on to you

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

No, because, to put it as bluntly as the HA will, a dead woman can't give the required 4 weeks' notice to vacate.

Tell them to go fly.

Nicklt

It's pretty standard practice of HA to send a letter to the NOK informing of outstanding rent arrears, the HA i work for do. I don't know why we do because it just creates confusion and worry for the NOK. So No you are not liable.