Utility Charges After Decease Of Customer

[taichiperson]

Can I ask what is the procedure after someone dies regarding utility charges? My mother passed away suddenly at home, and it may take us some months to clear out the house. I understand that any charges will be taken out of my mother's estate, but is there a cut off date as to how long electricity companies etc will keep providing services? I am the sole beneficiary, and we intend to clear the house and sell it - though I am curious as to how easy it might be to rent the property. I had the thought that my mother's bank account could be changed over to my name and charges could continue to be taken by Direct Debit.

[Tilly2]

You will not be able to take over your Mum's bank account without the Will going to Probate, Taichi.

[murraymints]

usually any debts can be paid from mum's accounts right away, but you may prefer to wait till the house has been cleared as you will be using power then, speak to the providers, they are usually very helpful in these situations... my condolences to you at this sad time

[murraymints]

but any debts can be paid before probate Tilly

[fiction-factory]

Did she pay by DD or by cheque quarterly. You need to let them know if payments won't be made to avoid billing problems- eg debt collectors or losing DD discount

[murraymints]

including funeral costs

[Tilly2]

I am referring to Taichi thinking that she can just take over her mum's bank account because she is sole beneficiary, Minty

Taichi, your mum's bank account will be 'closed' and you will not be able to access the money without the proper procedure taking place. I can't remember the name of the document you need... grant of administration or something like that.

[murraymints]

quite right Tilly but the executors can arrange for any bills to be paid

[woofgang]

you can't take over your mother's bank account. The account will be first frozen, although banks will usually disburse to cover certain bills. Depending on the size and complexity of the estate and the will, you may then need an executors account and utility bills can be paid from this for the time being. Once the estate is distributed, the owner(s) of the house will need to take on responsibility for the utility bills. If there is more than one owner, then they will need to decide how to do this.

[TheWinner]

The bank account will be frozen until it has gone through probate, although if you take the bill for the funeral into the bank, they pay the funeral directors for you from the account. Inform each utility company and tell them what has happened and ask that whilst you are sorting out the house, can all future bills be sent directly to you and give them your address. They will charge a standing charge plus any gas or electric you use while doing the house up.

[taichiperson]

Thanks Tilly- I am in touch with Mum's solicitor over the will. Things were simpler when Dad Died as of course Mum was still living in the house and everything just transferred to her. Of course the bank account will be closed - as you might imagine my brain is scrambled right now as her death was sudden and unexpected. We are currently waiting for the coroner to contact us so we can get the death certificate. I was just pondering as to how it all works, and am concerned that the utilities are not cut off in the middle of clearing the house. - thinking it over that's unlikely - but I can't quite think straight at the moment...

[237SJ]

When my Mum died I closed the accounts then started up new accounts for the property in my name, billed to my address. That way I had power and water to clean etc until I sold the house.

[Tilly2]

I know exactly how you feel, Taichi. I was the same when my dad died in March. I found my dad's bank extremely helpful in helping me with all the stuff there was to do. Perhaps you could make an appointment to see the bereavement team at your mum's bank, if there is one. At NatWest, they were excellent.

[Peter Pedant]

um um um - sorry for your loss - especially the sudden unexpected shock bit
I think you probably need help on this
in answer to your q
1.No there is no cut off date so long as you pay the charges
they dont care whose name it is in

2. yes it is easy to let a property - do it yourself or thro a letting agent

no you arent allowed to change the mothers account into your name
You are obliged to freeze it until probate ( or letters ) are granted and you should do that tomorrow. You should also stop payments in and tell everyone because pensions and so on stop on the day of death

I imagine you are the executrix of the will and you need to keep records and pay off everything then recover it from your mothers estate. If the sums are largish - then you can open an executors account for payments to her post mortem