Money Moral Dilemma: Should I refuse to pay for the ongoing costs on our deceased father's house?

JayD · 5 February 2025 at 6:35PM

As so often here, there is insufficient information. I am also concerned that you are paying council tax on an empty property and that energy costs would be significant.

Are you all joint executors?

How long has the house been on the market?

Does your Estate Agent have exclusivity?

Is the area the house in a desirable one? Urban? Rural? Have good facilities and transport nearby? These factors will affect the likelihood of an increased possibility of sale in the Spring.

rufford155 · 5 February 2025 at 6:35PM

Isn't there a grace period on council tax when a single occupier has died ?

pollypenny · 5 February 2025 at 8:40PM

Houses in this area used to sell very quickly. Over the last couple of years greedy estate agents are 'testing the market' and houses sit for months before they're marked as 'reduced'.

It's no skin off the estate agent's nose to keep you waiting.

happenstome · 5 February 2025 at 9:32PM

I just let a house go for £20K less than the asking price and that was for £5K less than a previous offer which I could have accepted. All due to the market being slow not to do with the state of the house. Your siblings might find that if they wait they may get more but they may end up with even less than the current £10K "loss". I have put "loss" in inverted commas because a house is only worth what people will pay for it. Was it valued by more than one estate agent? The asking price could have been unrealistic. What did sites such as Zoopla say about the value?

Stardoll_2 · 6 February 2025 at 9:37AM

You shouldn't be paying council tax on an empty house. The executor has the final say on what happens to the house. And any costs (electric, gas etc) should come out of the final estate.

phone_angel · 6 February 2025 at 5:04PM

I would suggest taking the offer accepted. I had to manage my father’s house and despite the additional insurance and energy costs associated with vacant properties you also have the risk of damage especially with our weather patterns. Councils now charge tax on empty properties too.

deeveedi · 7 February 2025 at 9:21PM

The post said the £10,000 less was the best of offers received. They should accept this. Council tax is due on empty property at the full rate unless it is uninhabitable due to no water or power, etc. and work being done.
The post also said the charges are being paid out of the estate at the moment.

They should however put a final
date the completion should be done by, which their solicitor can do, so that they are not stuck with time wasters!

Midlander59 · 8 February 2025 at 1:38PM

Council tax is not always payable on an empty house. It depends on the council and whether probate has been granted. Some will not charge until six months after probate has been granted.