Death of Named Tenant in Council House (Repost)

elsien

Guerillatoker wrote: »

Probably should have noted that the Council's tenancy department are aware of my mum's passing and I have provided certified evidence of my residence since 2014.

Also I have nothing going for me in terms of help from the council: Self-employed, single, no dependants, no vulnerabilities, in a 3 bedroom property.

They do have an obligation to provide information and some councils offer things like a deposit scheme if you need help up front for a private rental for example.
Are you planning to talk to them about succession rights or lay low and see what happens? When the time is right it's probably still worth making an appointment with a housing officer to see what they can offer. There may be more help than you're aware of.
I'm sorry for your loss, btw. Can't be an easy time at all.

Guerillatoker

elsien wrote: »

They do have an obligation to provide information and some councils offer things like a deposit scheme if you need help up front for a private rental for example.
Are you planning to talk to them about succession rights or may low and see what happens? When the time is right it's probably still worth making an appointment with a housing officer to see what they can offer. There may be more help than you're aware of.
I'm sorry for your loss, btw. Can't be an easy time at all.

Thanks you for your condolences. As odd as it may sound attending to these affairs is somewhat therapeutic.

I will admit I do have the ability to find a private rental. However, I was saving up and in the initial process of completing a Right-to-Buy on the property with my mum (I'd only requested the forms, so not significant). As a result I have a deposit saved up. I will be using this to panic-buy a house if I have to leave the property (though I will be at the lowest end of the market). If I am granted succession, I will probably save up and buy when I have an increased deposit or use my right-to-buy once it is available.

Maybe this sounds selfish but I don't want to lose my opportunity of making it onto the property ladder so I fear taking a private rental (with my 2 dogs, I should add) will see my savings drain away with nothing to show for it.

My reason for stating this is I am not too concerned with obtaining help from the council to be rehoused, only interested in succeeding tenancy at my property. HMOs in my area (which is all that will be available) are rife with hard drugs, violence, unsanitary conditions and will generally not accept pets.

EDIT: To clarify, my action plan regarding future housing situation is...
1. If possible, succeed current tenancy and plan for a future property purchase, probably in 2020.
2. If succession not possible, occupy until given notice to vacate (+28 days) whilst going through process of purchasing a property.
3. Lodge with brother whilst purchase is finalised.

KxMx

I am sorry about the death of your Mum.

I think if you are granted a council tenancy, you have very little, if any chance of being allowed to stay alone in a 3 bed house.

I think your circumstances have changed with your Mum's death, and you need to make new life plans on that basis.

I see very little chance of you being able to to RTB on the property you currently live in.

Guerillatoker

KxMx wrote: »

I see very little chance of you being able to to RTB on the property you currently live in.

Its not really part of my plan, as I have very little hope of succeeding the tenancy. I certainly wasn't planning on trying to go through with the current RTB so hopefully I haven't confused people reading this topic.

The succession is not really an issue - I have already accepted I will not be able to succeed, but have followed the process just in case and in order to prolong the inevitable eviction order as long as possible. I am primarily concerned with people's advice surrounding bills for the period I am still occupying but not a tenant.

[Deleted User]

If you have enough money for a deposit for RTB, you have enough money to move on and pay the bills until you do.

Sorry, I know its an awful time.., but there's right and there's wrong. I won't say anything about motivations to go for RTB at that time in your mother's life. Now is the time to go on with your life dependent only on what you can provide, taking the memories you have, knowing the house will go to a family in need who's been waiting for ages for something they can live in and make a life for themselves. Its awful now but will get better. Personally, I'd find it a little easier knowing I hadn't left loads of bills behind me for other people to pay (every other user of the services), when I can pay them myself. But its your choice, obviously.

pickledonionspaceraider

Sorry to hear of your Mums passing OP. That is really sad.


It must be a very troubling time


In my City, the council would not allow one person to take over the tenancy on a three bed, but I live in a massive city, and a huge list of people waiting - especially for houses. Anyone with annual income over £16k are not even permitted to apply


Families are waiting years /decades.. the longest applicant on the housing register in my area has been waiting since 1985


I wish I was joking

Guerillatoker

deannatrois wrote: »

If you have enough money for a deposit for RTB, you have enough money to move on and pay the bills until you do.

Sorry, I know its an awful time.., but there's right and there's wrong. I won't say anything about motivations to go for RTB at that time in your mother's life. Now is the time to go on with your life dependent only on what you can provide, taking the memories you have, knowing the house will go to a family in need who's been waiting for ages for something they can live in and make a life for themselves. Its awful now but will get better. Personally, I'd find it a little easier knowing I hadn't left loads of bills behind me for other people to pay (every other user of the services), when I can pay them myself. But its your choice, obviously.

The right-to-buy has no standing, I only added it to say why I had been saving. My mum was 61 and there was no suggestion she was ill. She died of lung cancer that was only diagnosed at post-mortem. My 2nd parent to die of undiagnosed illness, despite going in for relevant check ups. Perhaps this has hardened my heart regarding the points below.

I do not believe I should be personally responsible for the Council's failure to provide social housing to local people, and believe this attitude exonerates them of their public duties, so I feel little guilt about holding onto a family-sized property for ~12 months longer.

Private rentals are expensive compared to the property prices in my area. I also refuse to have my dogs put down or put into a shelter (regardless of what people's opinion of this will be) which limits my possible Private Rental opportunities (Last time I looked it was 1 property within 10 miles, out of several hundred).

I also do not believe that any unpaid bills will increase costs for service users. Utility providers have been unilaterally increasing prices devoid of any tangible reason for years now anyway.

Still, thank you for providing your advice, it is appreciated.

pickledonionspaceraider

deannatrois wrote: »

If you have enough money for a deposit for RTB,.

Dean, you don't need a ££ deposit to buy from the council - when you are using the RTB


The council offer a discount, and that is used as the deposit for the mortgage

Guerillatoker

pickledonionspaceraider wrote: »

Sorry to hear of your Mums passing OP. That is really sad.


It must be a very troubling time


In my City, the council would not allow one person to take over the tenancy on a three bed, but I live in a massive city, and a huge list of people waiting - especially for houses. Anyone with annual income over £16k are not even permitted to apply


Families are waiting years /decades.. the longest applicant on the housing register in my area has been waiting since 1985


I wish I was joking

I live in a smaller area but I think the situation is the same. A friend of mine was homeless and he was still waiting months just to be offered a studio flat out of his local area in a building with known problems with anti-social behaviour.

He had to fight tooth and nail just for that and he was literally homeless.

KxMx

With pets and private rentals often you just need to do a bit more work beyond looking at the ads. Contact LLs direct, offer a larger deposit etc.

As for bills, doesn't everyone have them, if you are using gas/water/electric why do you feel you are exempt? Yes they were your Mum's accounts, they now need to be changed to your name as you are the one using the services. They are nothing to do with Mums estate now, you are financially responsible going forward for these sorts of things.