Can I pick your collective brains, please. Following the death of an elderly relative I shall be applying for Probate in respect of the estate. I’m in England.
There is a property to sell, in a retirement village, which is for those over 55 only. Such properties can prove difficult to sell.
I’ve just received a letter stating the Council Tax will be frozen until such time as the grant is issued. Thereafter a further exemption of 6 months can be awarded - I assume this is discretionary.
The executor will become liable for the ongoing Council Tax if the property remains unoccupied when this exemption expires.
There will be money in the estate in due course, in addition to the proceeds from the sale of the property.
Had anyone dealt with this before - I’m assuming that council tax is a priority debt to be paid before the estate can be distributed?
But what would happen if the property failed to sell? Could we get to the position where the remaining estate couldn’t be distributed at all?
Does the same apply to utilities: gas, electricity and water?
And, does anyone know what happens to the service charges and ground rents in this situation - ie can they be added on to the property as a charge to be satisfied when the property is sold?
Sorry for so many questions, and thank you for your help!