Renting from council, house clearance after death?

horseymom1991

My Dad passed away recently. He was a hoarder for several years however family have been in and cleared what they physically can. We have contacted the council numerous times and are always told someone will be in touch, nearly 2 months later and still nothing.

We have been told that the council may potentially go in and clear out the rest without telling us and then just send us the bill to be paid out of the estate.

I don’t agree with this as surely the council could go in, clear out and then charge anything they want!

We’ve asked if we can go down, meet the council and be given a price (as in if it’s too high we can try and clear a bit more ourselves or get it done privately - as been told this more than likely will be cheaper) but this doesn’t seem possible.

Another department in the council told us because he lived by himself they don’t have to inform anyone before clearing it out?! Has anyone had an experience with this or any advice?

Brie

Presumably you have taken away anything that you wish to keep so it's just a matter of emptying the place and getting things to the tip.

Any reason you don't want to use a house clearance firm? They at least would give you a quote and you could say yes or no to that. Some of them will look at what they know they might be able to sell on and the quote will reflect that in part. And some of them will know what places locally to take things that might be recycled easily - much easier than you trying to do so if you don't live nearby.

KxMx

When my Mum died this year I informed her landlord (council sheltered housing), then had the paperwork with a date to clear the property by.

Everything got sorted through by me (plus helpers) lots diverted through various means to various charities then I organised a company to clear the rest out.

I then handed the keys back to the landlord.

Same happened when my Nan died 5 years ago (her landlord was a housing association).

I don't understand the way you or the council have gone about this to be honest.

The longer this goes on the more rent the estate is liable for. Just arrange a clearance firm and hand back the keys afterwards.

horseymom1991

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82135029#Comment_82135029

To be honest, first time doing something like this and we were lead to believe the council may have been the cheaper option.

Dad's flat isn't easily accessible, no parking close by, no easy access to place a skip unfortunately or we would of potentially been able to move some more things ourselves.

jaybeetoo

We paid the British Heart Foundation to clear my aunt’s bungalow. She was a massive hoarder. It worked well.

Brie

I don't believe easily that the council will be a cheap option. I've seen locally them charging for other services that they implied would be free or at least cheap only to have people charged several times more than a simple handy person might quote.

fyi - not completely similar but 8 years back we cleared MiL's flat (she was moving in with us) and once we'd got the essentials out, a lot of stuff to charity shops, binned a lot a firm came in and for £100 got rid of the final bits and pieces. Basically it was that price for them to fill a roomy box van. Obviously inflation will have increased charges but the comparison was that moving 2 households of furniture and tat to our one new combined home was about £800. (& we let the moving firm keep the spare microwave)

horseymom1991

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82135031#Comment_82135031

Not sure what else we are to do when we have contacted the council numerous times, sent the death certificate and had no reply?

la531983

Is there actually an estate anyway?

If there isnt they can bill it for fifty million pounds, it wouldnt matter, it wouldnt get paid.

KxMx

If phone calls/emails haven't gotten a response, then can someone go in person to their offices and not leave until you have a date to vacate in writing? A clearance company can then be organised & keys handed back afterwards.

I can't understand the council, they are usually in a hurry to get properties back.

Every week the property remains in his name is another week his estate is liable for rent.

maman

Personally I'd get a quote from a removal company just in case as, if their charges are anything like what they charge for collecting a few large items around here, the council are unlikely to be cheap.

Then, I'd do as suggested and go to the council offices in person and ask for the department concerned particularly if the estate can't pay for the clearance.

Are you paying rent while waiting for an answer from the council? 🤔

LightFlare

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82135047#Comment_82135047

that would be tricky if relatives have already been in and “removed” stuff

Is there a will ?

Have records been kept of what has been removed ?