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Original poster

Clearing HA property after death

33 replies

Greencarpetburns · 02/10/2020 20:21

Apologies as I know there was a recent thread on this but I can't find it.

Ddad passed away on Saturday and I am in the process of clearing his home. I've run out of money after paying funeral directors their first payment, travelling here, taking time off work and paying someone to jump start and return his motability car. I've bagged up and put his stuff in one room, but there is still the sofas, tables, chairs, etc.

Will the HA chase me down for the money to clear the home? I've done the best I can but I'm broke. The house is in good repair, nothing is broken it just has some stuff in it. I've never lived in this house and I live 300 miles away. I feel so bad not leaving it how they want it, but wtf can I do?

OP posts:
MrsShelton · 02/10/2020 20:23

facebook marketplace? be strict over collection though

sorry for your loss too, how awful for you

Kernowgal · 02/10/2020 20:26

Would a house clearance company take the furniture? Some councils will dispose of bulky items for free.

I’m sorry for your loss too, you don’t need this added stress right now.

Original poster
Greencarpetburns · 02/10/2020 20:28

I've sold, donated and given away what I can. It's just bags of old clothes, junk, a massive wardrobe that no one would take, shabby table and chairs, mattress and a few sofas. He was a heavy smoker so no one will take the sofa and mattress. It's all arranged nicely, but HA want it empty.

OP posts:
Original poster
Greencarpetburns · 02/10/2020 20:29

House clearance costs several hundred and I can't arrange a council bulky waste collection as I'm not the tenant. Thank you for the suggestions though.

OP posts:
Mrsjayy · 02/10/2020 20:30

He might be entitled to a free uplift from the council /HA phone them on Monday and ask them. I'm sorry for your loss Flowers

Bargebill19 · 02/10/2020 20:30

Would it be worth asking them or the council if they would collect the items for disposal and accept payment in x months when you could afford it or via a payment plan?

VettiyaIruken · 02/10/2020 20:32

Sorry for your loss.

You aren't liable - even though they sometimes try to make you think you are!

It is a debt to be paid from the deceased's estate. If your dad left nothing then there's nothing to pay.

ChavvySexPond · 02/10/2020 20:33

Ask them. Ours charge £150 per hour that it takes to clear it or per ton that they take away, whichever total is the higher.

ChavvySexPond · 02/10/2020 20:34

And I'm very sorry for your loss.

Notthecarwashagain · 02/10/2020 20:35

I'm so sorry for your loss, and the added stress you must be under now.

I'm hoping someone legally trained will come and correct me if this is wrong, but I'd have thought the debt for clearing would be taken from the estate. If your dad didn't have a will ,or money left, then you can't be pursued for it.

This may not be correct but I hope it is.

Notthecarwashagain · 02/10/2020 20:36

Sorry xposted, VettiyaIruken

Mrsjayy · 02/10/2020 20:36

man with a van and to the tip ? We have man and vans on facebook charge £10 an hour

TheQueef · 02/10/2020 20:39

Sorry to hear about your Dad Flowers
It will be his estate who pays and debtors not you.

TheQueef · 02/10/2020 20:39

Any*

Eckhart · 02/10/2020 20:42

It's not your responsibility to pay for this.

I'm sorry for your loss.

Original poster
Greencarpetburns · 02/10/2020 20:47

Thank you everyone. Dad left no money behind, his bank account will just have a weeks pension inside as he drew it out religiously and spent it.

I'll do my best then and just give the keys back. The HA people really are making me feel like such a shit for not leaving behind a gleaming property and landscaped garden. I need to get home, back to work and my dc back to school Sad

OP posts:
Chippydippy · 02/10/2020 20:47

Sorry for your loss 💐
I lost my dad last year and had the responsibility of clearing his HA flat. After loads of stressing about it, I didn't actually need to clear his flat or pay for anything to be cleared. I obviously cleared it of his personal items first and took them with me.

ilovecardigans · 02/10/2020 20:48

@VettiyaIruken

Sorry for your loss.

You aren't liable - even though they sometimes try to make you think you are!

It is a debt to be paid from the deceased's estate. If your dad left nothing then there's nothing to pay.

That's spot on @VettiyaIruken.

@Greencarpetburns I'm so sorry. It's the hardest thing. I have been there and it's so stressful and awful. Wishing you peace.

TheQueef · 02/10/2020 20:49

Listen, Your Dad paid rent and took care of the property.. The least HA can do is a bulky waste collection in return.
Don't feel guilty and don't be rushed.

VettiyaIruken · 02/10/2020 20:52

@Greencarpetburns

Thank you everyone. Dad left no money behind, his bank account will just have a weeks pension inside as he drew it out religiously and spent it.

I'll do my best then and just give the keys back. The HA people really are making me feel like such a shit for not leaving behind a gleaming property and landscaped garden. I need to get home, back to work and my dc back to school Sad

Screw them! Give the keys back and tell them it is not your responsibility. (They already know this!) Go home. Flowers
olderthanilookapparently · 02/10/2020 20:54

It's not your house though so how can they honestly chase you is not your debt

Eckhart · 02/10/2020 20:54

The HA people have to deal with this stuff on a regular basis. Some residents die and don't have anyone like you, but the flat still has to be cleared. If you don't do it, they'll have to hire whoever they usually hire to get the place to the state they want it. It's a pain for them, because they don't want to actually have to do what they're paid for.

They're being very insensitive you. You have enough on your plate without them adding unnecessary pressure. Make sure you've taken anything sentimental and any paperwork, then tell them that the flat can be cleared.

It must be very hard for you right now.

skankingpiglet · 02/10/2020 20:56

I'm sorry for your loss OP. It is extra tough when you have such constraints on clearing their place too.

My F died 2yrs ago and was also in an HA property. The HA tried to insist that the place was cleared and cleaned, and even that we removed the carpets. I cleaned enough to manage the clearance (it was pretty grotty), cleared what I could, found a cheap house clearance company for the rest, and just gave the carpets a hoover. IANAL, but IME they have no way of making you do this (I just felt too awful leaving it all but would have left it if I couldn't afford to clear). As others have said, the contract was with your DF. Is there any money in the estate? I'm assuming not as you've said you are paying for the funeral (My F died insolvent and I chose to pay for the funeral). If there is, first and foremost that should be used for his funeral and thereafter to pay off debts. If the HA want to apply to the estate to cover the cost of clearing then I presume they can, but it still isn't your debt and if there's no money in the estate then tough, there's no money.

On a separate note, it may be too late now you have employed a funeral director, but you are also under no obligation to pay for the funeral either. If there is no money in the estate and no family wiliing/able to pay then the council pay. It would be basic, but it sounds like money is very very tight for you?

Original poster
Greencarpetburns · 02/10/2020 21:01

Thank you so much for the kind words. I've been spoken to so rudely by dwp, HA, motability dealership and the council that it's nice to get some empathy.

OP posts:
Original poster
Greencarpetburns · 02/10/2020 21:04

@skankingpiglet

I'm sorry for your loss OP. It is extra tough when you have such constraints on clearing their place too.

My F died 2yrs ago and was also in an HA property. The HA tried to insist that the place was cleared and cleaned, and even that we removed the carpets. I cleaned enough to manage the clearance (it was pretty grotty), cleared what I could, found a cheap house clearance company for the rest, and just gave the carpets a hoover. IANAL, but IME they have no way of making you do this (I just felt too awful leaving it all but would have left it if I couldn't afford to clear). As others have said, the contract was with your DF. Is there any money in the estate? I'm assuming not as you've said you are paying for the funeral (My F died insolvent and I chose to pay for the funeral). If there is, first and foremost that should be used for his funeral and thereafter to pay off debts. If the HA want to apply to the estate to cover the cost of clearing then I presume they can, but it still isn't your debt and if there's no money in the estate then tough, there's no money.

On a separate note, it may be too late now you have employed a funeral director, but you are also under no obligation to pay for the funeral either. If there is no money in the estate and no family wiliing/able to pay then the council pay. It would be basic, but it sounds like money is very very tight for you?

I've applied for the funeral payment. I just had to give the first 400 to the funeral directors for the crematorium.
OP posts: