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Dealing with Utility Companies
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vonsworld
Posts: 86 Forumite
Hello
Please could someone advise me on how to deal with the utility companies when a close relative dies, ie. Electric, Gas, Water and Phone/Internet.
I understand that if I want to take over the payment of the utilities at the property then I can just ask the utility companies to setup new accounts in my name and give them an up to date meter reading.
However what about the following complications?
If my relative has paid in advance monthly by direct debit then they will probably be in credit. When will the utility companies refund this money to the estate. Will I have to send them a copy of probate once it has been granted?
Also what if my relative was tied into a contract which has not ended? Will the estate be charged or are the utilities likely to waive this if I am taking over payment of the accounts?
Thanks for your advice and have a great day :-)
Please could someone advise me on how to deal with the utility companies when a close relative dies, ie. Electric, Gas, Water and Phone/Internet.
I understand that if I want to take over the payment of the utilities at the property then I can just ask the utility companies to setup new accounts in my name and give them an up to date meter reading.
However what about the following complications?
If my relative has paid in advance monthly by direct debit then they will probably be in credit. When will the utility companies refund this money to the estate. Will I have to send them a copy of probate once it has been granted?
Also what if my relative was tied into a contract which has not ended? Will the estate be charged or are the utilities likely to waive this if I am taking over payment of the accounts?
Thanks for your advice and have a great day :-)
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Comments
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Different suppliers have different rules. You will have to ask them.Hello
Please could someone advise me on how to deal with the utility companies when a close relative dies, ie. Electric, Gas, Water and Phone/Internet.
I understand that if I want to take over the payment of the utilities at the property then I can just ask the utility companies to setup new accounts in my name and give them an up to date meter reading.
However what about the following complications?
If my relative has paid in advance monthly by direct debit then they will probably be in credit. When will the utility companies refund this money to the estate. Will I have to send them a copy of probate once it has been granted?
Also what if my relative was tied into a contract which has not ended? Will the estate be charged or are the utilities likely to waive this if I am taking over payment of the accounts?
Thanks for your advice and have a great day :-)0 -
I have recently dealt with utility companies after my mother in law suddenly past away. So far none of them have asked for a copy of the probate (which is still being applied for). She was in credit with BT and they have closed the account and refunded the money to my husband who is the executor. British Gas have put the account on hold for 5 months, during which time hopefully we will know what we are doing with the house. They will send bills as they are apparently required to but won't chase for the money as her bank account is frozen. She was tied in for a set period but they haven't said we have to pay to be released from it. The water company again has put a hold on the account.
I hope this is of some help
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Rainbowchild wrote: »I have recently dealt with utility companies after my mother in law suddenly past away. So far none of them have asked for a copy of the probate (which is still being applied for). She was in credit with BT and they have closed the account and refunded the money to my husband who is the executor. British Gas have put the account on hold for 5 months, during which time hopefully we will know what we are doing with the house. They will send bills as they are apparently required to but won't chase for the money as her bank account is frozen. She was tied in for a set period but they haven't said we have to pay to be released from it. The water company again has put a hold on the account.
This is totally different to the experience I have had with utilities and insurance companies. British Gas somehow got hold of my full name and home address and transferred the account to me within days of me informing them of a death. There was a totally wrong estimated meter reading which made the bill over £500 instead of the £12 it should have been. They would not send anyone out to read the meter and constantly mentioned court action for recovery. Luckily (strange to say) there was a gas leak from the meter box and I had to call an emergency engineer who, thankfully, made a note of the reading. All was then sorted with the bill as there was no argument! Direct Line also treated me in much the same way, and have finally acknowledged their mistake and paid compensation. British Gas still address everything to me rather than 'the executors' but that's another story...... EON electric have been similarly awful, threatening debt recovery for less than £20; I have paid this just to keep them away from my almost-perfect credit rating. The saga goes on...
The only company to have treated me with the utmost respect has been Severn Trent Water. I can only sing their praises for how they have been so patient and understanding.0 -
Rainbowchild wrote: »She was tied in for a set period but they haven't said we have to pay to be released from it.
I take the viewpoint that upon death any supply contracts that the deceased had becomes null and void as they are in legal terms now "frustrated".
That is to say now that the signer is no longer capable (by being dead) of undertaking their part of the contract.
Therefore no early termination fees that might normally apply are applicable and none should be charged.
I gather that contract frustration does not generally apply to insurance policies.0 -
EON electric have been similarly awful, threatening debt recovery for less than £20; I have paid this just to keep them away from my almost-perfect credit rating. The saga goes on...
Hello Margot123 and I'm sorry you're having a poor experience with us at such a difficult time.
Have you spoken with our dedicated Bereavement Support team? This team has been set up to deal exclusively with situations where a customer has passed away. Details of what they do and how to contact them are on our website.
They'll make sure all the necessary actions are taken on the account and keep you up to date with what's happening. This includes letting you know about our third party probate partners, Phillips & Cohen Associates (UK) Ltd.
Our specialist bereavement advisors will ask for a copy of the death certificate, close the account and put it into the name of the executors or solicitors. They'll also open a new account in the name of the person taking over responsibility for the property. They'll let you know about any balances on the account and what to expect if the estate is going through probate. They'll give you a direct phone number so you don't need to contact different areas of the business.
Hope this helps point you in the right direction Margot123 and please accept my condolences for your loss.
Malc“Official Company Representative
I am an official company representative of E.ON. MSE has given permission for me to post in response to queries about the company, so that I can help solve issues. You can see my name on the companies with permission to post list. I am not allowed to tout for business at all. If you believe I am please report it to forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com This does NOT imply any form of approval of my company or its products by MSE"0 -
Surely until the property is sold or transferred to a new owner/family which cannot be done until after probate, then the new account too should be in the name of the executors!0
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Hi there I’m wondering if anyone can help or offer advice? I’m a beneficiary in a will of my late grandmother, we sold the house in early February 2019 and the solicitors and the executor are still paying utility bills 6WEEKS after the property was sold.
Probate was completed a while ago but paying these utilise seems to be dragging on and on.
I’m wondering is this normal or are the solicitors completely incompetent? (We’ve had some issues with them during the probate process) I’d assume utilities bills would be paid and settled before the sale?0 -
Your view is utterly wrong. The company are entitled to continue charging until notified. Many will have a bereavement department that can seal with matters. Any overpayments this should be refunded. Different companies have different procedures. They should be told as Xs on as possible.I take the viewpoint that upon death any supply contracts that the deceased had becomes null and void as they are in legal terms now "frustrated".
That is to say now that the signer is no longer capable (by being dead) of undertaking their part of the contract.
Therefore no early termination fees that might normally apply are applicable and none should be charged.
I gather that contract frustration does not generally apply to insurance policies.0 -
Hi there I’m wondering if anyone can help or offer advice? I’m a beneficiary in a will of my late grandmother, we sold the house in early February 2019 and the solicitors and the executor are still paying utility bills 6WEEKS after the property was sold.
Probate was completed a while ago but paying these utilise seems to be dragging on and on.
I’m wondering is this normal or are the solicitors completely incompetent? (We’ve had some issues with them during the probate process) I’d assume utilities bills would be paid and settled before the sale?
I am confused. You say "we" sold the house in Feb 2019. Who is the "we", you or the executor? Surely whoever made the sale should have terminated any existing utility contracts prior to completion and the buyer set up new ones. Is the solicitor an executor or is he working on the instruction of someone else who is the executor? In the latter case responsibility lies with the executor.0 -
I am a beneficiary not the executor, ever since probate began the executor which is my uncle has had problems dealing with the solicitor in charge of the estate I.e hard to get hold of, she’s been off sick quite a lot and plenty of confusion. I am a little frustrated as I feel as a beneficiary I have not been kept informed of the process and only recently have I found out that there’s been some issues regarding the solicitors progress. The sale of the house is was done & dusted beginning of February. Since the sale was compeleted and keys exchanged which was 6 weeks ago all I’ve been told is that a few bills need to be sorted? Seems odd to me that 6 weeks after completion utilities still need to be tied up?? i don’t know if fault lies at the executor or the solicitors or both?0
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