Flat in a state of disrepair due to tenant misuse

[WheelOfMisfortune]

Hi all, hoping for some help!

My father recently died- we were estranged, he was a mentally unstable drunk.

He had been renting a flat for the past 8 years, and it sounds like he has let it turn into a hovel- I won’t go into details but they called in a hazardous waste clean up crew.

The landlord had apparently been aware that the flat was in a state, but had done nothing about it. Not sure when he last visited but he was definitely not doing checks or anything.

My question is- how liable am I for the repair cost? Am aware that it’s disgusting to let someone else’s flat get into that state, but also wonder about the landlords obligation to check the flat is not in disrepair?

All and any opinions welcomed- and do not mince your words, I am aware that my father is disgusting for doing this, it’s just that the landlord seems to have been fully aware and let it carry on which I am questioning?

We had exactly this when my brother who was also an alcoholic died and left his flat in an awful state.

The landlady tried to send us a large bill for the clean up and we said he had no money, we were estranged and so sorry no, we can't pay the bill. We hadn't seen him for quite a long time.

We went and cleared out what we could and that was that. They did harass us for a while but we said we couldn't pay for the clean up and that was that.

It was pretty shit at the time - so sorry you are going through this as I know exactly how it feels.

OP, seems like you've got it sorted. Other PPs are right, if no one acted as guarantor, his debts stay with him and LL cannot charge rent to a deceased person!

@MarilynsDressOnAVent puts it well.

The best you can do is remove his important personal belongings asap, return his keys, but the rest of the clear up is down to his unfortunate LL, who can try to pursue his late estate if there is enough left in it. Bills have to be settled first by probate executor. It would be kind of you to help LL by clearing out unwanted stuff he left too. But you have no contract with them. LL can try to claim reasonable clear up/ damage costs from his estate.

Be very careful when notifying of death to his utility providers too,
do not give them your contact details nor address as regardless of no legal liability, IME they will try to pursue you personally via debt agencies even though not legally your debts (if he had any & he will have some as part way through quarter). They also only have a claim through his late estate.