Is mum responsible for payment of bill

sleepless_saver

I'm with macman too. See link to directgov.

Doesn't mean that they won't try to pursue her for the debt (which may be what some other posters have been thinking about from their shop floor perspective), so she should get advice from CCCS or CAB who may be able to help her with a suitable letter to send.

If she feels she must try to get it paid off (though she really doesn't need to) she could try applying to the British Gas Energy Trust (doesn't matter who her supplier is) for a grant to pay off the bill given the exceptional circumstances because of the oxygen usage and your mother's bereavement.

molerat

The direct.gov link gives this so not clear cut

Fuel bills

If you've been living in the property jointly you may be liable for fuel bill arrears. Contact National Debtline for advice - details below.

similar to council tax, water rates and in some cases rent.

sleepless_saver

molerat wrote: »

The direct.gov link gives this so not clear cut similar to council tax, water rates and in some cases rent.

I should have read further, thanks for spotting it.

So it's a good idea for her to contact CCCS or National Debtline in any case.

DUTR

BOBBYDOG wrote: »

My father died a few weeks ago. He had an account for both Gas and Electricity supplied by EDF-IN HIS NAME ONLY.The bill is £576. approx (He was on oxygen therapy so huge electric bills)

He died intestate, leaving no bank accounts, savings or monies of any kind. He had no debts.
He lived with my Mum in a Local Authority rented flat.
Is my Mum responsible for the outstanding bill? Any thoughts?

So who was using the utilities after your Father had passed away?
It won't simply get written off, although it may get written off, prepare for some pre payment metering to be installed in the property

System

Two edged sword.

If as claimed, because the deceased's name is on the bill it forms part of the estate then on his death he can no longer give permission for anybody to use it. Therefore from the point of his death the wife has been committing theft by using electricity when not authorised

jalexa

!!!!!! wrote: »

Therefore from the point of his death the wife has been committing theft by using electricity when not authorised

That is insensitive scaremongering. And wrong. At worst, a deemed contract would exist.

System

jalexa wrote: »

That is unsensitive scaremongering. And wrong. At worst, a deemed contract would exist.

I know, its as wrong as claiming the bill is part of the estate which is the point that I was trying to make.
The only time that it would be part of the estate is if the person lived on their own otherwise it automatically devolves to the other residents of the premises

Utility companies can chase ANYBODY living at that place during the billing period for payment. The bill is for the premises with one person declared as the account holder.

DUTR

jalexa wrote: »

That is insensitive scaremongering. And wrong. At worst, a deemed contract would exist.

Deemed contract would exist, but it seems the OP wants it both ways, rack up part of a bill , blame the whole amount of it it on the deceased

jalexa

DUTR wrote: »

it seems the OP wants it both ways, rack up part of a bill , blame the whole amount of it it on the deceased

Equally insensitive.

What the OP said was "my father died a few weeks ago". Do you get that? Then..."is my Mum responsible for the outstanding bill?" That's the deceased's grieving spouse BTW.

The question wasn't "usage" but "the outstanding bill". Your language "rack-up" and "blame" is a disgraceful distortion.

tescobabe69

Why do I have a mental image of a woman sitting in the dark, eating cold beans with the heating switched off ?