Sorting utilities out when the deceased's partner living in the house

bylromarha

My mum died this morning.

She had a live in partner of a couple of years, nothing official and he keeps a flat of his own which he went back to every now and then.

Sis and I can't find a will (and don't think there is one...). We are happy for live in partner to stay in the house for a short time while he deals with mum's death, but sis and I feel that he needs to move back to his flat pretty soonish after the funeral. Apologies if this sounds callous or too soon, but he did a lot to split sis and I from mum.

Live in partner doesn't have much money coming in, so he won't be able to pay the bills. We don't want him to be living with no elec/phone/sky etc but also don't want to foot his bills either. Sis and I want to get the mountain of phone calls started, but if we ring to tell them mum died, will the partner be left in a cold dark house after we call?

So question is, if we ring British Gas and co to let them know mum died, will they stop supply? Will they ask for bills to be put into live in partners name as he's in the house using the stuff?

Don't want to get in a dodgy position in regard to potential future issues with probate.

Thanks

Mojisola

If there is no will, the estate will be distributed according to the intestacy rules - https://www.legacywillsuk.com/docs/Rules_of_Intestacy.pdf - that's for England and Wales.

You need to apply for Letters of Administration - https://www.adviceguide.org.uk/england/relationships_e/relationships_death_and_wills_e/dealing_with_the_financial_affairs_of_someone_who_has_died.htm. That will give you the authority to organise the utility bills, etc, while you deal with the estate.

Fire_Fox

Utilities will look to either close the account or add a note that the bill payer has died so as not to harass for payment. They will not cut the supply off unless you specifically ask for that. Council tax - the partner should already be named on the bill, he will be legally liable for payment but will be entitled to a 25% single occupancy discount. Even if you don't tell CT for a while they will want the date of death, close the account from that point and open a new account with a 'debt' on so you are not helping the partner. Sky I'd cancel: sorry but it's not the estate's responsibility to pay for entertainment and there are loads of free channels these days. You may well find the partner is entitled to more benefits/ pension as he is no longer your mother's dependent, he may not be as badly off as you think.

seashore22

On the subject of cancelling utilities. When your mother's partner moves out, will the property be empty? Personally I wouldn't have gas and electricity cut off because it would be advisable to keep the heating on at a low level during the winter. This is to prevent pipes bursting in very cold weather and keep any damp at bay in the house.

We are currently selling the flat that a relative lived in. She moved out over a year ago and we kept the electricity going so that the flat could be heated and turn lights on etc when we went to check on the property. No gas, so we didn't have to deal with that. Cancelled phone line too. The electricity bill is very small because no one is living there.

Just something to think about.

PennyForThem_2

I think you need to go to Citizens Advice Bureau. How much is the house worth?

I know you want to be kind and considerate to the partner and that is as it should be, but I also think you need to ensure that he moves to his own property and you are not liable for debts run up with utility companies.

Fire_Fox

seashore22 wrote: »

On the subject of cancelling utilities. When your mother's partner moves out, will the property be empty? Personally I wouldn't have gas and electricity cut off because it would be advisable to keep the heating on at a low level during the winter. This is to prevent pipes bursting in very cold weather and keep any damp at bay in the house.

We are currently selling the flat that a relative lived in. She moved out over a year ago and we kept the electricity going so that the flat could be heated and turn lights on etc when we went to check on the property. No gas, so we didn't have to deal with that. Cancelled phone line too. The electricity bill is very small because no one is living there.

Just something to think about.

Contrary to popular belief heating does not prevent condensation damp, only ventilation does that. All heating does is help the air hold a little more water it does not actually get rid of any excess.

bylromarha

Thanks all - appreciate the input.

No doubt I will be back on here with more questions as things progress.