Scottish Power charging me for a house I don't live in

House_Martin

Alter_ego wrote: »

Technically Next of kin inherits, is that you?

Looks as though you are liable then.

Next of kin are not liable for any debts from their parents .They do not have to accept any inheritance if they do not want it, and that would include funeral costs of approx £2000 upwards.The local council will step in to take over funeral and clearance of a property if no one else accepts it
If the estate is nt of any value then all debts are written off
There are no laws to make anyone executor neither.That is optional.
Small estates do not have to go through Probate. Houses which pass direct from , say husband to wife do not need to be assessed by the Probate office.
If there was a delay in granting probate then the person who eventually inherits will have to settle all debts,council tax, funeral costs, (to the council if they did the funeral ) tax liabilities.They come before anyones inheritance whatever time it was established .
the local council on behalf of the rate payer will be taking them to court as soon as they find out the true status if all council tax was nt collected in the 5 years.
If they cannot afford to settle outstanding debts it then they would have to obtain a loan or sell the property.

System

The OP needs to read the following links:

https://www.co-oplegalservices.co.uk/media-centre/articles-jan-apr-2017/settling-utility-bills-after-the-death-of-a-loved-one/

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/family/death-and-wills/who-can-inherit-if-there-is-no-will-the-rules-of-intestacy/

Up until the award of Probate all utility bills etc are normally a cost to the Estate. Any debts fall on the Estate; conversely, any credit balances are treated as Estate assets. What is the legal status of the property now in terms of ownership?

Alter_ego

OP was granted probate in 2017.

See post 7

trickytree1963

Alter_ego wrote: »

OP was granted probate in 2017.

See post 7

Yet they claim not to know who inherited property :rotfl:

walace58

If OP has been granted probate, can we assume he he an executor of his fathers estate? If so he should settle all bills from the estates or explain to creditors why there is no money? Has the house been sold. If not why not or when is it going to be sold.

House_Martin

walace58 wrote: »

If OP has been granted probate, can we assume he he an executor of his fathers estate? If so he should settle all bills from the estates or explain to creditors why there is no money? Has the house been sold. If not why not or when is it going to be sold.

You cannot assume that an executor, with all its pitfalls, has been appointed or taken on that status. If no one wants to volunteer then that is the end of it.Its a voluntary job.Probate can go through without the need for solicitors or executors. Probate has to be done if the house is going to be sold at some point in the future
I ve been executor three times and once I refused it with my late mother because of very high debts of nearly £20k. None of the family would get involved with winding up the "estate " for what it was worth.
I personally did nt want to be chased forever by all the debtors although I personally cleared up the estate and sorted funeral out which the rest of my family would not get involved in..
An executor can be prosecuted for maladministration and funeral directors chase the executor only for funeral costs as well as the council for unpaid council tax.
I suspect that the OP,s little utility bill debt is just the tip of the iceberg.

Scottish_Power

FDizbo0312 wrote: »

Hi people,

forgive me if there's a newbie thread over this, but I feel its a bit of an unusual situation.

My dad owned a house and passed away about 5 years ago. I moved out of this house about 2 and a bit years ago, told scottish power I'm not living there and paid my final bill. I'd assume like anyone else that was the end of the matter.

Anyhow, now the affairs with the house are finally settled, I've found out they've been charging still and sending bills in my name and my deceased father's name to the property despite me advising them its empty, asking for £297, which has now been passed to a debt collector.

I've not responded to this letter. How should I proceed?


Thanks in advance.

Hi FDizbo0312,

So I can get this investigated further for you, can you possibly please email the account number or full address the bills and letters are being sent in relation to, to [EMAIL="social@scottishpower.com"]social@scottishpower.com[/EMAIL] ?

Kind regards
Faye