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Council house charges after tenant's death

I'm dealing with a council house clearance after the death of my aunt. It's in a pretty bad way: undecorated since 1980, overgrown garden, etc. Most concerning is that there's a large and derelict static caravan in the garden. Now, the caravan was put up with permission from a previous tenant (also a relative) and presumably the council. When my aunt took over tenancy, it was already there. It's therefore not her property, and doesn't belong to the estate. My question is, will the council try to charge us for its demolition and removal, given that it's not hers? I can't prove ownership unfortunately. Even if I could, it might be the case that the caravan became her liability when she took over tenancy. I ask because the estate is small: enough for a funeral but not much else. 
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  • kazwookie
    kazwookie Posts: 14,207 Forumite
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    Offer it free of charge to who ever can collect via FB, gumtree, local shop card and such like
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  • kazwookie said:
    Offer it free of charge to who ever can collect via FB, gumtree, local shop card and such like
    Yes, do this, I’m amazed at how much interest a tatty Caravan gets on FB posts when offered for free, they seem popular. 
  • If the council have to spend a lot of money clearing the place of things left behind then it's reasonable they might try to recover some money. Regardless who's caravan it was donkeys years ago, it's on her property now.  However the funeral will be a priority expense and anything left in the estate afterwards will be looked at, if there's anything left. When i cleared my mother's council place out i had to remove my uncles old greenhouse at the council's request or be charged, it didn't matter who's greenhouse it was - it was on her property and they wanted it removed. 
  • getmore4less
    getmore4less Posts: 46,882 Forumite
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    If there is no money get what you need from the property and walk away ASAP. 

    Don't ask for time to clear. 
  • macman
    macman Posts: 53,129 Forumite
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    edited 24 January 2021 at 12:11PM
    You are 'dealing with the house clearance'. Are you actually the executor? 
    If, following the payment for funeral expenses, the estate is insolvent, or near to it, just walk away. The LA's priority will be to clear the property, refurbish it and relet ASAP. Regardless of liability, they can't recover funds that don't exist.
    I am wondering why the LA allowed the property to fall into a near derelict state over 40 years? Did they not do inspections, maintenance, serve notice to tidy the garden, etc?
    If the estate were solvent, then yes, it would be liable for the removal cost, since it's on her property.

    No free lunch, and no free laptop ;)
  • What would your dear Aunt want you to do?  Would she have been ashamed if debts weren't paid?
  • hazyjo
    hazyjo Posts: 15,475 Forumite
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    macman said:

    I am wondering why the LA allowed the property to fall into a near derelict state over 40 years? Did they not do inspections, maintenance, serve notice to tidy the garden, etc?
    If the estate were solvent, then yes, it would be liable for the removal cost, since it's on her property.

    My OH's dad's didn't (in decades). Was in a terrible state. Damp everywhere, a leak, completely overgrown garden, plants growing through walls/windows, broken shower, etc. He wouldn't let anyone round. We did all attempt to sort it out a few years ago when he was in hospital (he wasn't impressed), but when he died a year ago, we just handed the keys back. I think they did put a new boiler in at some stage, but no inspections as such. Was Newham Council, so I expect they had bigger issues to worry about.
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  • AdrianC
    AdrianC Posts: 42,189 Forumite
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    hazyjo said:
    macman said:

    I am wondering why the LA allowed the property to fall into a near derelict state over 40 years? Did they not do inspections, maintenance, serve notice to tidy the garden, etc?
    If the estate were solvent, then yes, it would be liable for the removal cost, since it's on her property.

    My OH's dad's didn't (in decades). Was in a terrible state. Damp everywhere, a leak, completely overgrown garden, plants growing through walls/windows, broken shower, etc. He wouldn't let anyone round.
    And that's the key. If the occupant won't let them do the work, they can't force it onto them.

    People can be awkward sods, and can refuse what anybody else would think is in their best interests...
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