A little advice needed please

Peanut_butter_2

Thanks for the bank info, I will get onto that this week. I contacted the council tax people quite early on and they said that once the property is empty of possessions I can apply for the exemption for 6 months so that has to be the next step really. They unfortunately do not owe anything to the estate as there is a small outstanding amount owing to them which I shall also take care of this week.

I plan to keep the utilities connected for the same reason as yourself (my condolences on your loss also) and while the property is empty there is little reason to believe these bills will cost very much.

Really appreciate being able to talk these things over with others, this is my only experience of the whole process and it can feel a lonely place at times.

Fire_Fox

Maybe change the energy to 'no standing charge' tariffs - the units are more expensive on these but you won't be using too many. You will still have the standing charge on the water, not sure you can avoid that.

Agree don't cut off the energy with the supplier, you need to be able to put the heating on low if it gets super cold or the lights on if you have an estate agent coming after 4pm. Just use the fuse box/ circuit breaker.

RAS

hi

You are doing all the right things.

With respect to house insurance, many insurers require the property not to be left unoccupied for more than 28 consequative days. We fund that one person stopping over once a mon th met the requirement.

Having been involved in a similar situation, I recommend that you get the boiler serviced now, set the radiators to minimum and run it in the early hours of each morning when it is liely to be coldest. Also set the water to heat for half an hour a day if you have a tank.

Do not drain down the water as the boiler will not work.

Also invest in some timers and plug in all the lamps in the house. I recommend some set on a daily routine and some set weekly. Vary the weekly ones at least when you visit. I kept the house safe for two winters with that set up. One appeared to come on in the bathroom early doors and twice in the evening, one did the kitchen and then I had the lounge and bedroom on at different times.

troubleinparadise

Useful tips for me too!
RAS - can I ask, do you know anything of the safety record with regard to the automatic timers for lights etc?

My co-executor is paranoid about fire etc (all picture frames and glassware is put away to avoid sunlight from 18" gap in the curtains setting fire to the house) - to the extent that this is a non-discussion area.

I favoured the automatic timer, but have been over-ruled. And no, this person has never experienced such a fire where I could understand such a strong response, but is trained in fire management. A difficult personality to co-manage this situation with at the best of times.

Re the boiler/heating - I ran the system in a similar way last winter during the very cold spell, and found it adequate to prevent pipe issues. A bigger problem turned out to be the old heating system was pretty sluggish as the radiators needed flushing - all was fine when being kept running at a high temperature for many hours for an older person; then down to very little and it all ground to a halt!

Peanut_butter_2

Thank-you for the timer tip, I hadn't considered that.

In some respects I am glad I am sole executor although it hasn't stopped others trying to enforce their views on how things should be done. At the moment it's my trump card to be able to say 'I am the executor therefore........' although that may sound smug it's not said in a smug way and not intended to provoke but does remind those that need reminding that ultimately I am responsible.

daska

You can ask what the insurance company would recommend re the timers, then if there is an accident you would have been doing what the insurer's wanted and couldn't be criticised.

Peanut_butter_2

Good point daska