Means test after death.

paddedjohn

unless you are the executer or appointed by one then you have no authority to dispose of any of her property

antrobus

tommum wrote: »

I've been quoted £600 by the housing association as the price a house clearance firm would charge to clear the house, plus was told I'd be charged 4 weeks rent.

All executors are deceased and yes while there are a few white goods, they'd go nowhere near covering these costs. Sorry if I didn't make myself clear.

Presumably you are the beneficiary of the will. Normally speaking when the named executors are all dead, a beneficiary will apply to become an administrator of the estate. The HA are probably assuming that this what will happen and that your relative's estate has sufficient assets to cover their costs.

If you're certain that your aunt had no little pot of gold tucked away somewhere (and by the sound of things this would seem unlikely) then you just need to inform the HA that you have no intention of applying for letters of administration and therefore are sadly unable to be of any assistance to them in this matter.

MrsManda

If the house just needs clearing (as opposed to the contents needing to be sold to pay debts) it may be cheaper to see if a local charity will carry out the clearance. I know the British Heart Foundation will do house clearances, not sure about others.

But as paddedjohn pointed out you would need authority to do this.

clemmatis

tommum as the executors are deceased, if you are the main beneficiary of the will, you can apply for a Grant of Letters of Administration, which means, basically, you can act as executor. That will give you the authority you need to make any arrangements you want to make. You will still not be liable for the charges the Housing Association want to make unless they are covered by the estate, and it sounds as though they aren't.

I suggest you ask AgeUK if they can advise you on all this.

tommum

Thank you to everyone who replied. It's made the situation much clearer and I really appreciate it. Thanks again.

maureen_04

Personally I would get round there, remove any sentimental things or anything of value that I wanted then lock the door and hand the keys in.
It is not your responsibility to clear out the premises, you have not signed anything to involve you in the clearance so why should you.

What they are not telling you is, they will charge you £600, but any money raised from the clearance from furniture will go to them.

They are just trying to recoup their losses. Tell them in no uncertain terms that it is nothing to do with you.