Electricity Bill after Death

Grazzier

Mother died in 2016. Before her death she had moved from her own property into a Care Home. Approximately 2 years in the Care Home then, and this is where she passed away.
Her own property was sold, all savings and other monies accrued from the Estate has been divided amongst myself and siblings. 
However, today an energy bill from Mothers electric provider at her own property was divulged by the solicitors acting for us at the time.  
My question is this :  is there some kind of statute of limitations on energy bills, that says that after a length of time the bill becomes null and void, and ultimately written-off by the energy company, or can they chase families long after a parental death ?


Thanks many for any pointers.

Smodlet

As I understand it, back-billing cannot be applied for more than 12 months.  Sorry for your loss, OP.

Robin9

When was the property actually sold? The estate would have been responsible between her death and the sale.

Cardew

A correct energy bill, like any other bill/debt, remains valid for 6 years under statute of limitations.

During the 2 years your mother was in the care home, were energy bills raised by the company? She would have been responsible for paying bills until her death, and then the estate would have been responsible. It would be standard practice for the executor(the solicitor??) to check all bills were paid or waived. e.g. gas, electricity, water, council tax, insurance.

If the house was sold after probate was granted, then the solicitor handling the sale should have dealt with any outstanding household bills.

GaleSF63

Smodlet said:

As I understand it, back-billing cannot be applied for more than 12 months.  Sorry for your loss, OP.

OP, has the solicitor just received the bill or had they overlooked it?

Streaky_Bacon

Any money would be owed by the estate.

If all the money from the estate has been disbursed to the beneficiaries, then the only person that could be held liable for the debt is the Executor, if they have failed in their duty to identify and pay creditors.

Who was the Executor of the estate?

Although the statute of limitations would not yet apply, the back billing rules (which prevent billing for energy used over 12 months ago would). What is the date of the bill and what time period of energy usage does it cover?

Grazzier

Ok,  Thank you all knowledgable contributors for your aid.  There are many questions here that I am unable to answer presently. My big brother was the executor. He doesn't know the precise date that the property became someone elses. He is investigating that today,.The period of the bill  is Jan to Apr 2017 is therefore after Mothers death, so I am assuming the property was still not sold at that time? 
A question I have had in my mind is :  did the power company issue this straight away and the solicitors have been sitting on this for ages, or have the power company only just issued the bill.  It seems that there are one or two issues that need to be resolved in order to bring closure to this matter properly.
I am sorry I am unable to answer many of contributors question currently, but I had not realised how involved this might become at the outset, for what seemingly looked like a simple issue.
Many thanks again. 

Robin9

Have a look on Right Move for the sale date.

Robin9

Grazzier said:

Mother died in 2016. Before her death she had moved from her own property into a Care Home. Approximately 2 years in the Care Home then, and this is where she passed away.
Her own property was sold, all savings and other monies accrued from the Estate has been divided amongst myself and siblings. 
However, today an energy bill from Mothers electric provider at her own property was divulged by the solicitors acting for us at the time.  
My question is this :  is there some kind of statute of limitations on energy bills, that says that after a length of time the bill becomes null and void, and ultimately written-off by the energy company, or can they chase families long after a parental death ?


Thanks many for any pointers.

Although the bill has just emerged - perhaps it has actually been paid.  Ring the supplier and ask if there is anything outstanding 

Streaky_Bacon

If your brother was the executor and employed the solicitor to carry out the administration, then this should really be something that the solicitor should have dealt with originally, and should be sorting out now.

What did the solicitor say when they told you about the existence of the bill?

I would hope that they wouldn't be expecting any further payment to deal with this.

poppellerant

Perhaps the bill is for standing charges which I believe have to be paid until the house is sold?