Advice re: Flat clearance, council property

djpleasure

Hi mse'rs

Firstly sorry if not relevant to this section but could not find a section suitable to post, and i do not have post permission on the CAB forum here.

I am inquiring on behalf of a friend.

Trying to be as brief as possible, her Grandfather passed away, and now her Nan who is 95 has had to move permanently into a Nursing home. She has been in and out of hospital and homes for the past year.

My friend wants to hand the flat back over to the council, so as it can be provided to another needy person.

The problem is, my friend has no money so cannot fund clearing the flat, her Nan is on a pension, most of which is swallowed up by care costs, so no finance there. Her Nan does have some savings, but nobody has access to them, Solicitors are in process of taking over management of her finances (Court of protection order), this will take a considerable time to sort out. Her Nan suffers confusion and other age related mental issues.

In the meantime the flat is vacant when it could be put to good use.

95% of the flats content is not sale-able, so it will be mainly rubbish disposal. a one bedroom flat but with the contents of two bedroom

My friend is disabled so cannot shift the stuff herself and does not know anyone than can.

The temptation to just hand the keys to council is there, but knowing most councils, they will try to issue a bill for the clearance, therefore putting either her Nan or herself in debt.

The flat is in dire need of a complete refurbish as well as refit, due to pre-historic fittings.

The council is Chichester

There is no rent due on the flat, but it is a dilemma, nobody can afford to clear it, and its unfair due to housing demand that it is sitting dormant

Ant advice appreciated

bargainbetty

Your friend should speak to Age Concern and to the council to see if there is anything available. If there are savings, if may be that they provide a temporary crisis loan to clear it, with a proviso that it is repaid once the transfers can be made.

Alternatively, call a few charity shops and tell them they can take anything saleable if they come and get it - they might have a few volunteers.

Old fabrics etc can be given/sold by the kilo, furniture can be freecycled or offered free to collectors on Gumtree - honestly, there are people with very little, so a bed or chest of drawers and wardrobe will get taken very quickly by a student, or someone moving into their first flat and needing things to use until they get on their feet. Same goes for kitchen equipment, cutlery, crockery etc - just put up everything in batches.

Give as mucha s you can away if you don't think you can sell it - there will be a lot less to clear once the reusers, recyclers, adapters and scavengers have cleared it.

Check there really is nothing of value - old silverware, jewels etc - and make sure the lady has her treasured bits in her new home before you start clearing!

Good luck

P.S. Once it is empty, the council refurb it at their expense - don't worry about that bit.