Severn Trent issues in settling decease estate

RangeRat

I’ve been dealing with my mother’s estate. She died leaving very little, no property and small amount of savings.

She left no will. Probate has not been needed for anything, including the release of her savings from her bank.

Dealing with all of the other utility companies has been straightforward and any credit has been refunded.

Severn Trent are the only company not willing to release a refund on her account.

£115 is what is owed by them to her estate. Because there was no will and I haven’t applied for probate, they won’t release the funds.

The only option I have is to fill in their form and get a certificate of oath, witnessed by a solicitor. This will cost almost as much as the money owed, so it’s not worth proceeding.

I’m sure that they know this. It seems like they are exploiting people who have small estates, knowing they won’t proceed with the claim.

This seems like a nice little money earner for them, I’d love to know how much they manage to hold onto per year due to this policy.

Shocking behaviour that seems to be an outlier when compared with most other Utilities.

I will be raising complaints and persuing this issue.

Reed_Richards

The only option I have is to fill in their form and get a certificate of oath, witnessed by a solicitor. This will cost almost as much as the money owed, so it’s not worth proceeding.

I have recently been asked to provide an Affidavit (the same thing as a certificate of oath) and have been trying to find out how much this will cost if I prepare the document myself. So far I have found conflicting information. Some parties assert that there is a fee fixed by law of £5 if you go to a Commissioner for Oaths but if you go to a Notary then the charge is at least £80. Perhaps somebody else here can enlighten us?

bunnygo

for Severn Trent, give James.Jesic@severntrent.co.uk - he's the new CEO. Can't be less interested than the last one…