Gas and Electricity meter

TinaMoreland

My Father recently died in a house fire.  The house has been completely destroyed.  I am the executor for my father's estate.  I have notified everyone that needs to know but wanting some advice regarding the bills and standing charges for the gas and electricity supply.  Both of these were supplied to my father via British Gas.  When I telephoned them to notify them they asked me to supply a meter reading.  I explained the house was destroyed in the fire and that I was not even sure if the meters would have survived intact.  They told me they would continue to charge the daily standing charge for both gas and electricity until the house changed ownership.  This obviously will be some considerable time.  I am concerned about how much this is likely to be considering if will be at least 12 months before the house will be habitable again.  Is there a way I can get the standing charges frozen or stopped until the house is actually habitable again?
I have also since received a letter from British Gas's solicitors, again requesting a meter reading.   The house is not safe to enter, and even if it was I am too distressed to go near it.

poppystar

As an executor is it possible to simply cancel the contract with British Gas? I would have thought you would have the authority to do that. At which point the charges should cease.

They will probably still want a meter reading. If they keep insisting I would suggest that you request they send a meter reader (such people still exist I think). Hopefully that person will be clued up enough to realise there is no way anyone can risk entering the house! 

Sorry for your loss. 

Edit. 

Actually thinking about it I would have thought that they would have sent someone to ensure the supply was cut off immediately and made safe. BG should know who went or alternatively could the fire brigade tell you this. 

Keep_pedalling

poppystar said:

As an executor is it possible to simply cancel the contract with British Gas? I would have thought you would have the authority to do that. At which point the charges should cease.

They will probably still want a meter reading. If they keep insisting I would suggest that you request they send a meter reader (such people still exist I think). Hopefully that person will be clued up enough to realise there is no way anyone can risk entering the house! 

Sorry for your loss. 

Edit. 

Actually thinking about it I would have thought that they would have sent someone to ensure the supply was cut off immediately and made safe. BG should know who went or alternatively could the fire brigade tell you this. 

It would have been the network supplier who would have disconnect the supply not BG. You can’t simply cancel a contract without appointing a new one which is obviously a not possible under this terrible situation. 

From the SSE website it seems you can get a refund of standing charges if you have not used any energy for 12 months so I would assume that would apply to all suppliers.

https://sse.co.uk/help/bills-and-paying/removing-your-standing-charge

This is such an unusual event that you might get some better advice by posting on the energy board.

thegreenone

I'm so sorry for your loss in such terrible circumstances. 

If you haven't shut down your father's bank account yet, do it now.  If you can bear it, reply to BG's Solicitors with photos of the remains of the house and (as above) ask them to send a meter reader.  They can check with the FB if they can access the property.

I am sure the fire brigade would have made sure the gas supply was shut off, perhaps you can contact them.

If all else fails, Jill Insley at The Sunday Times is brilliant at helping people.  No personal experience.  Best wishes to you.

Savvy_Sue

I am SO sorry you are in this situation. 

One question, and forgive me if this is painful - is your father's estate solvent? Was the house insured, were the contents insured, is there money in bank accounts? If it is not, then it might be worth just not administering the estate: even though you are executor, you may not have to do so. 

TinaMoreland

Savvy_Sue said:

I am SO sorry you are in this situation. 

One question, and forgive me if this is painful - is your father's estate solvent? Was the house insured, were the contents insured, is there money in bank accounts? If it is not, then it might be worth just not administering the estate: even though you are executor, you may not have to do so. 

Thank you for your response.  My father's estate is solvent and the property was fully insured.

kipsterno1

Sorry for your loss. 

Under circumstances like this it can be easy to make rushed decisions. Obviously there is a lot to consider and arrangements to be sorted. It may be best to speak with the insurance provider before disconnecting any services. BG combined standing charge is around 75p per day so £275 per year (approx). It could cost a lot more for disconnection and reinstatement of the services.

Robert_McGeddon

TinaMoreland said:

My Father recently died in a house fire.

Awful story. I feel for you.

Presumably you haven't got probate yet?  Seems odd that BG are sending in the heavy mob already - maybe your Dad was behind on payments?  Anyway, you don't have authority to act until probate is granted in your favour. The solicitors should be told of this and back off.  Even if you have got probate you shouldn't be panicked into making payments before you can substantiate them.

getmore4less

Robert_McGeddon said:

TinaMoreland said:

My Father recently died in a house fire.

Awful story. I feel for you.

Presumably you haven't got probate yet?  Seems odd that BG are sending in the heavy mob already - maybe your Dad was behind on payments?  Anyway, you don't have authority to act until probate is granted in your favour. The solicitors should be told of this and back off.  Even if you have got probate you shouldn't be panicked into making payments before you can substantiate them.

As named executor the authority comes from the will

sheramber

Have you spoken to the bereavement services  

f you'd simply rather speak to us about a notification of bereavement, call us on 0333 202 9338. 

Robert_McGeddon

getmore4less said:

As named executor the authority comes from the will

Technically correct.  However, until confirmed by a Grant it is of limited practical use, e.g. securing property, closing bank accounts etc. For the OP's situation, notifying BG's solicitors that Probate has not been granted is a reasonable next step.