Tenant in Hospital

ps2659

I own a property and the tenant is in hospital and not expected to come out, we have just received a phone call from her relatives to inform us of this, the relatives live over 100 miles away and are quite elderly themselves they have informed me that they have stayed at the property overnight however, they never asked me if this was OK and just took it for granted it would be whilst visiting her. They asked if we would rent out the property furnished when she passes away as they expect this to be very soon I said no assuming they do not want to clear the property when the inevitable happens just the items they want, can anyone tell me where I stand in regard to the comments listed above. Also what happens if the rent fails to be paid, the relatives have told me they have turned on the heating so it will be warm next time they come down to stay which they expect to be very soon, who pays the gas and electric bills if she passes away as expected in the next day or so, she has been a really good tenant but not sure about the relatives as we do not know them.
Any help appreciated Thanks in advance.

[Deleted User]

The relatives staying there is non of your business. The tenant can have visitors if they want.

Skibunny40

I'm sure you're actually more sympathetic to your tenant than your post appears, but it does sound very hard hearted.

I can't see a problem with the relatives staying in the property in the meantime - I assume the rent has been paid in advance to a certain date? Is it a furnished or unfurnished flat? The relatives have had the decency to contact you so I would imagine they're the decent sort. My advice was be to treat them as such - if you get akward with them, they may well stop being decent. The cost of a couple of days of electricity & or gas will be negligible in the grand scheme of things.

AdrianC

Sorry, they've travelled a distance to visit their dying relative, and you're even contemplating having a strop because they didn't ask permission to stay in the relative's flat...? <blink>

The deceased's estate is liable for all their debts, including rent and utility bills, and any end-of-tenancy costs. The relatives do not inherit the tenancy.

ps2659

Skibunny40 wrote: »

I'm sure you're actually more sympathetic to your tenant than your post appears, but it does sound very hard hearted.

I can't see a problem with the relatives staying in the property in the meantime - I assume the rent has been paid in advance to a certain date? Is it a furnished or unfurnished flat? The relatives have had the decency to contact you so I would imagine they're the decent sort. My advice was be to treat them as such - if you get akward with them, they may well stop being decent. The cost of a couple of days of electricity & or gas will be negligible in the grand scheme of things.

I have no problem with the relatives staying just would have been polite to have been informed prior, the property is a bungalow let unfurnished and I am not overly worried about utility bills just want to know where I stand not sure how insurance companies view this situation.

AdrianC

No, they have zero responsibility to inform you. The tenant has every right to allow their relatives to stay, whether or not they're there.

And, in the circumstances... Can you even spell "compassion"?

Comms69

ps2659 wrote: »

I own a property and the tenant is in hospital and not expected to come out, we have just received a phone call from her relatives to inform us of this, the relatives live over 100 miles away and are quite elderly themselves they have informed me that they have stayed at the property overnight however, they never asked me if this was OK and just took it for granted it would be whilst visiting her. - why would they ask you? You gave up your right to the property, they can stay there without your permission. They asked if we would rent out the property furnished when she passes away as they expect this to be very soon I said no assuming they do not want to clear the property when the inevitable happens just the items they want, can anyone tell me where I stand in regard to the comments listed above. Also what happens if the rent fails to be paid, the relatives have told me they have turned on the heating so it will be warm next time they come down to stay which they expect to be very soon, who pays the gas and electric bills if she passes away as expected in the next day or so - the tenants estate , she has been a really good tenant but not sure about the relatives as we do not know them.
Any help appreciated Thanks in advance.

I don't see what your actual question is.

HampshireH

ps2659 wrote: »

I have no problem with the relatives staying just would have been polite to have been informed prior, the property is a bungalow let unfurnished and I am not overly worried about utility bills just want to know where I stand not sure how insurance companies view this situation.

They had no need to inform you at all. Infact I would suggest it was polite of them to bother.

Your insurance doesnt change. I imagine it says something about being unoccupied for more than 30 days.

You are lucky they have alerted you. A lot wouldnt take that responsibility.

Comms69

ps2659 wrote: »

I have no problem with the relatives staying just would have been polite to have been informed prior, the property is a bungalow let unfurnished and I am not overly worried about utility bills just want to know where I stand not sure how insurance companies view this situation.

You know what would be polite? - not having a strop when someone's dying.

ps2659

AdrianC wrote: »

Sorry, they've travelled a distance to visit their dying relative, and you're even contemplating having a strop because they didn't ask permission to stay in the relative's flat...? <blink>

The deceased's estate is liable for all their debts, including rent and utility bills, and any end-of-tenancy costs. The relatives do not inherit the tenancy.

No strop but would have been polite to have been informed she was in hospital and relatives I have never met staying in the bungalow I was not informed until after they stayed in the property she was in hospital they wanted to know about the furniture as I guess they only want items they want and not the bulky items.

onwards&upwards

ps2659 wrote: »

No strop but would have been polite to have been informed she was in hospital and relatives I have never met staying in the bungalow I was not informed until after they stayed in the property she was in hospital they wanted to know about the furniture as I guess they only want items they want and not the bulky items.

Literally nothing to do with you.

For the entirety of the tenancy it’s her home and her decision and none of your business.

Just like your home is for you.