Inherited house and council tax

gerrythegiant

I hope I'm posting in the right area if not please move and I apologize for the long post.

I inherited my mother's home in Feb 2020. This house is over a hundred miles from my present home and totally unsuitable for my partner who is disabled. He is the only driver so can only get to the house when he is feeling okish and obviously a lot of the last year we have been unable to sort it out due to covid restrictions. We are on benefits 

That is the background, I have a arrangement set up with the council where as I pay a small amount every month for last year's council tax with the hope we can get it on the market soon and pay the balance from the sale  I recently got the bill for this year's council tax and a reminder, on calling them today they have pushed the payments back to June and said if it isn't sold and I don't pay the full amount each month from June it will go to collections. I don't have the money to pay it but it seems if the house isn't up for sale and sold by June I may have baliffs at my door. Considering the circumstances this last year with lock downs, the distance for me to get to the property can anyone advise what more I can do? 

[Deleted User]

You can certainly ask the council for more help but it is 14 months since the inheritance and council are perhaps understandably wanting their money and questioning why the house hasn't sold already. Unless you are desperate for the top end house valuation, why not sell it to one of those home buying firms who pay cash or stick it on an auction?

getmore4less

If it is not in occupation  there is a class F exemption from DOD up to 6 months after the grant(probate) is issued.


Where sale and marketing is to be delayed often worth delaying the application for a grant till you are ready.

when did you get the grant?

theoretica

I met someone a few days ago who had recently moved into the neighbourhood - having been stuck in the area by covid restrictions while visiting her daughter.  She decided to move and arranged sale of her house without going back to it - despite having left a jigsaw puzzle out half done!  So there may be ways to move forward with selling it despite the restrictions.

Norman_Castle

Have you taken ownership of the property or is it still owned by your mothers estate? If its still owned by her estate all outstanding debts must be paid before you inherit the proceeds. Presumably the sale price will easily cover the council tax debt. I'd suspect they can put a charge against the property forcing payment before you receive the sale proceeds. If they do this its likely there will be extra legal costs added.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/categories/deaths-funerals-probate