empty house still pay standing charge?

pixiecat

My Dad has just passed away and I am finalising all his accounts etc., He owns his own home and when I tried to cancel British gas was told I have to pay the standing charge even tho no one is in the property, now united utilities were happy to close his account and send a refund but said I could use the water, but BG say they have put the account on 5 month hold but will charge the standing charge at 50p a day dual fuel which will leave me with quite a bill -- is this right?? any help appreciated

Bluebirdman_of_Alcathays

Yes that's correct. You are free to change to a supplier with no standing charge - there is only one, ebico.

modsandmockers

It seems surprising that if you tell your supplier that you have moved house, then you are no longer liable for the energy consumption of the empty house which you left behind you, but if you die, you have to keep on paying!

Does the 5 months 'on hold' mean you pay nothing for 5 months?

[Deleted User]

Same thing happens with the phone line and water meter.Standing charges are payable even if no gas used, 24 p a day per meter with BG.You can t just "cancel " British Gas , but you are free to switch supplier and you will be responsible for these charges whichever supplier you choose until the day of completion of the sale.Be very wary of who you switch to, there are some real wolves out there who will mess up the billing.Stick to the devil you know

modsandmockers

sacsquacco wrote: »

Same thing happens with the phone line and water meter.Standing charges are payable even if no gas used, 24 p a day per meter with BG.You can t just "cancel " British Gas , but you are free to switch supplier and you will be responsible for these charges whichever supplier you choose until the day of completion of the sale.Be very wary of who you switch to, there are some real wolves out there who will mess up the billing.Stick to the devil you know

But, since the OP is not the account holder, who will be willing to deal with her/him?

I understand that pre-existing debts and liabilities will usually become a claim on the estate of the deceased, but I'm not sure that I understand how a deceased person can continue to accrue debt after the date of decease.

I really hope the OP has managed to prevent British Gas from taking money out of the deceased's account by cancelling any direct debit mandate in BG's favour.

System

modsandmockers wrote: »

But, since the OP is not the account holder, who will be willing to deal with her/him?

I understand that pre-existing debts and liabilities will usually become a claim on the estate of the deceased, but I'm not sure that I understand how a deceased person can continue to accrue debt after the date of decease.

I really hope the OP has managed to prevent British Gas from taking money out of the deceased's account by cancelling any direct debit mandate in BG's favour.

The deceased does not continue to accrue debt after death. The responsibility falls to the Executor of the deceased's will. Charges will continue to accrue until such times as the property is sold or ownership is passed to a beneficiary of the deceased's estate.

https://edfenergyuk.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/655/~/i-am-the-executor-to-my-deceased-parents-estate.-what-do-i-need-to-do-to-close

modsandmockers

Hengus wrote: »

The deceased does not continue to accrue debt after death. The responsibility falls to the Executor of the deceased's will. Charges will continue to accrue until such times as the property is sold or ownership is passed to a beneficiary of the deceased's estate.

https://edfenergyuk.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/655/~/i-am-the-executor-to-my-deceased-parents-estate.-what-do-i-need-to-do-to-close

This is interesting. If I were to move out of a rented property, and gave a meter reading to the energy supplier on the day of moving out, then who is liable for the standing charges during the period which the property is empty and waiting for a new tenant. Does the energy industry have some way to find out the identity of the property's owner? Until recently, there were lots of two-tier tariffs which had no standing charge anyway - what would be the OP's position if her/his Dad had been on a two-tier tariff?

modsandmockers

This is the first paragraph of the EDF link which was posted above - Executors are responsible for the house (and any utility charges) until it is sold or transferred to a beneficiary. The account should be changed from the parent's name upon receipt of a copy of the death certificate, to the name 'Executors of Mr/Mrs xxx'(with the appropriate mailing address added at that time) - there is no mention of any legal basis for such a requirement, and I would be interested to know if the clause is enforceable after the death of the person who accepted it.

On the face of it, my advice would be ‘notify the energy supplier of your Father’s death (and supply a final meter reading), but don’t accept the transfer of the account into your own name’. I stand ready to be corrected by people more knowledgeable than me!

[Deleted User]

modsandmockers wrote: »

This is interesting. If I were to move out of a rented property, and gave a meter reading to the energy supplier on the day of moving out, then who is liable for the standing charges during the period which the property is empty and waiting for a new tenant. Does the energy industry have some way to find out the identity of the property's owner? Until recently, there were lots of two-tier tariffs which had no standing charge anyway - what would be the OP's position if her/his Dad had been on a two-tier tariff?

Two tier tariffs are long gone now, its all daily standing charge per meter except only for Ebico, there are no suppliers offering a no standing charge tariff for electricity as far as I know. The landlord is responsible the day you moved out and up until a new tenant takes over.A favourite landlord trick on new tenants is to give them the old key/card so they pay of any accrued standing charges which can build up as debt .Depends on how long the property was empty. This would also clobber the new tenant with any debts that the old occupier had on the meter as well as landlord standing charges.
The executor is responsible, by law, to clear up any outstanding debts to everyone, including the taxman and suppliers.Its not needed to put in any final meter reads at all until the house has been sold or taken over .Electricity would most likely still be used and a small amount of gas too in many cases. the final meter reads are sent in the minute the executor disposes of the property and a completion date is reached.

naedanger

modsandmockers wrote: »

This is the first paragraph of the EDF link which was posted above - Executors are responsible for the house (and any utility charges) until it is sold or transferred to a beneficiary. The account should be changed from the parent's name upon receipt of a copy of the death certificate, to the name 'Executors of Mr/Mrs xxx'(with the appropriate mailing address added at that time) - there is no mention of any legal basis for such a requirement, and I would be interested to know if the clause is enforceable after the death of the person who accepted it.

The link is an accurate summary of the legal position. Note that its information is only relevant if the deceased's child is the executor of the deceased's estate. Also note that any future liability on that account is not the child's liability. It is the estate's liability. (So if the deceased had no assets the debt would not be paid. However if the estate's assets exceeds its liabilities the executor will need to pay the debts, including any debts of the estate that accrue after the date of death, before distributing the remaining assets in line with the will.)

On the face of it, my advice would be ‘notify the energy supplier of your Father’s death (and supply a final meter reading), but don’t accept the transfer of the account into your own name’. I stand ready to be corrected by people more knowledgeable than me!

Agreed, and this is consistent with what EDF are saying.

Robin9

OP Don't forget you need to insure the property