Service charges & death of a leaseholder

mr_rush

Hello all

I own a BTL property in a seaside town - Victorian house converted into 4 flats. Leasehold with share of freehold. One of the owners manages the freehold in terms of cleaning, insurance, fire alarm inspections etc... but she is leaving (her flat will be rented) and I will be taking over the management.

Sadly an elderly and lovely lady who lived in one of the 4 flats died last week. Seems to have been a sudden decline with a short admission to hospital.

She lived alone and had no close family. I'm not sure who the next of kin or estate executor are.

Obviously as a group we are extremely sad in terms of her death and we will all attend the funeral.

However in a couple of months the bi-annual service charge will be due and I will be responsible in collecting it.

I'm not sure what happens in this case - do I write to the executor of her estate for the money?

Would appreciate advice.

G_M

Yes. The charges will be due from her estate or whoever inherits once probate is complete. Expect a delay in payment as things are sorted out, and especially if you have trouble identifying the Executers.

Eventually someone will either turn up at the property, or collect and deal with the post, so write with the normal invoice but addressed to "The Executers of the estate of Abigail Smith"....