Dad passed away with 2 months into contract of 12 months, want me to pay remaining 10

KD1

Hi, not sure if this is the right section for this post? :

My dad was an auto diagnostics electrition and hired equipment out which was on a 12 month renewable contract each year.
He was 2 months into his contract and Siemens have contacted me asking for confirmation of the location of the equipment which I have not spoken to them about anyway and that I will be required to pay the remaining contract £314.00 x10 even though he will not be using the equipment anymore.
Can they really try and charge me for the remaining time he had on the contract as this is not tied to the house.

Any help direction or input on this would be very much appreciated, Thanks


KD1

Alter_ego

Tell them to collect their equipment. If they want to claim on his estate for the balance so be it. You are not liable personally

KD1

Thnaks for your reply, I think I would be liable as I have had to apply for probate on behalf of my mum as they were together for 31 years but were not married.

Judith_W

you personally are not liable but the costs need to be taken into account when divvying up any estate.

Alter_ego

Only your Dad's estate may be liable. Your mum and yourself are not.

KD1

I see. I knew council tax were and utility bills etc but thought as virgin and vodafone terminated his contracts for us and was not tied to the house the estate would not be accountable for siemens leased equipment (10 months remaining). There is not going to be much left from life insurance after bills tied to the house is paid so we were hoping they couldnt go after the remaining from estate. Is there anywhere else I could get more info on this. Thanks for your reply KD1

tanith

Its a debt that your Dad owed if there is anything in his estate then his outstanding debts will be paid from that.. It might not be what you want to hear but unfortunately thats how it is.

whitewing

If the equipment was hired, and the company gets the equipment back, why does the contract not end at this point, with maybe a portion of the remaining fees payable but not all of it?

Bettie

KD1 wrote: »

Hi, not sure if this is the right section for this post? :


Any help direction or input on this would be very much appreciated, Thanks


KD1

sorry about your Dad.
You would do well to discuss the rental with Siemens, you may be able to come to some agreement. I found most people bent over backwards to help out when a family member passed away. If they refuse then maybe you could rent the equipment out to someone else or they could on your behalf.

KD1

o.k. I understand any arrears he owed to anyone being paid out of the estate, but having to pay a remaining 10 months rental (lease) for equipment that is being sent back and no longer going to used again is mad. Thanks KD1

palaran

KD1 wrote: »

o.k. I understand any arrears he owed to anyone being paid out of the estate, but having to pay a remaining 10 months rental (lease) for equipment that is being sent back and no longer going to used again is mad. Thanks KD1

May be mad, but in a legal sense it depends on what the contract of hire states.

As others have said though, speak to Siemans. Hopefully they will take a compassionate view in light of the circumstances.