Belongings in property.

getmore4less

Parents don't have a legal say.

You will have to judge if stopping the clearance process will be detrimental to any relationship.

Looks like you may need to secure the property if they will just carry on anyway

badmemory

If you are concerned then change the locks. The excuse could be that you have no idea who your mother may have given keys to & you need to secure her property. Try hard not to be pushed into doing something you are not ready for or think may not be in your best interests.

Savvy_Sue

Partly how quickly you clear it will depend on what pressure is coming from the landlord. A social landlord will want it cleared very quickly, whereas a private landlord may be open to negotiation if you're in a position to keep paying the rent.

eddyinfreehold

I would point out that the OP should be able to get hold of an Interim Death Certificate from the Coroner's Office even if because of clinical tests an Inquest is likely.

In addition, the OP has not stated whether the flat was owned by the deceased or rented, nor indicated the estimated value of the deceased's Estate. This is important because if the flat was owned it has a value, and so do the chattels and furniture. If the total value of the Estate is close to Inheritance Tax thresholds then is would be wise to have the flat, furniture and chattels professionally valued before disposing of them using a RICS valuer. This may prove necessary if HMRC become involved down the line. In the event of the Estate not being near the IHT threshold, this is obviously not necessary.

More important than the furniture is the paperwork. I would advise the OP to collect it all, every last ticket, receipt, passport, chequebook, statement, handbag, purse, bill and bus ticket. Check every pocket and drawer and settee cushion. Gather it all up into a cardboard box and keep it somewhere safe away from the flat and deal with it all carefully when you are in the right frame of mind. Sort everything into important and not important but don't throw anything away it the matter is finally dealt with.

I hope this helps.