Who pays the bills following bereavement?

[Itsnotthatgrimupnorth]

Following a bereavement my family home is solely occupied by my late father's partner. The house has been left to me in the will and there has been no pressure for the partner to move out.

The issue I need advice with is the bills. The partner seems to assume that because it's my house I pay the bills. My view is the partner is the person living there so the bills are their responsibility.

Can anyone suggest what my next steps are? I want to keep the relationship civil until the estate is settled but I feel their expectations are unreasonable.

Thank you

They pay the bills.

Actually, I think you are entitled to ask for rent from them.

The only bill I would ensure is paid is buildings insurance. After that the partner pays.

Tell them if you have to pay the bills, you’ll have to sell the house.

They pay the bills plus rent to you for living in your house. If they can’t pay then they have to move out

Charge them rent to the cover bills, as they say it's your house you pay the bills, but they pay to live there if that's the way they want to play it.

I would insist on a rental contract and they pay rent
To keep it all legal and above board.

All bills are theirs except buildings insurance
I can’t believe their very entitled attitude tbh and perhaps this is an indication that they are going to be difficult going forward

is it worth discussing they move out.

Meanwhile get the property valued now
legally you are swinging between an inheritance property without IHT ( ?) and now a property you own which will be subject to capital gains tax during your period of ownership.
Get it valued so when you sell the cgtax will only be from now

They pay the bills. You’re being very kind to let them live there without rent.

Depends what you agree between you.

If the estate hasn’t been settled yet, then the house may not actually be yours yet. It may still belong to your father’s estate - in which case the estate pays the bills.

In practical terms, thrash it out between you. Reasonably logical would be:
Insurance - you
Council tax - you may be better off with it occupied by a single person than empty and surcharged. So may be to your benefit to split that.
Utility bills - only exist because tgeres someone there using the utilities so partner.

I think you need to keep it formal.

Send a letter along the lines:

dear

following the death of my father as you are aware the property now belongs to me.

I am happy for you to continue living there under the current terms until x date.

from that point I will either require you to vacate the property or formalise a rent agreement as follows:

monthly rent will be x
this includes x but you will be responsible for y

if you go down the rental route take advise as to your responsibilities

Formal rent contract.. is she considerably younger than your dad?

Sell the house. She obviously pays the bills. Speak to a solicitor. Get rent to cover the costs. How old is the partner?

I would get onto a solicitor straight away as in my experience, the relationship will likely deteriorate judging by the fact they (incorrectly imo) feel you should pay the bills when they will ultimately be the consumer of the utility bills. Get meter readings now too (as part of the admin for your late father’s estate).

Seriously consider formalising their occupation of the property particularly if the ‘partner’ was not married to your late father or feels aggrieved at perhaps having nothing bequeathed to them. If you have other siblings, that can cause issues too if they feel your late father didn’t leave provision for them. Don’t leave things ambiguous would be my advice as it could cost dearly in wasted time, delays, stress and legal fees later down the line. Protect your position now (can be done formally but amicably). Hope that helps and condolences on your loss.

Give her 6 months to vacate the property

Thank you everyone for your input. The partner is two years younger at 83 so not a great age gap.

It's the expectation that the bills fall to me that I am finding hard to comprehend. I am going to ask a solicitor's advice too.

Am very grateful for the replies

Why on earth would you fund her?!

This is a hideous position for you to have been put in, but given her assumptions about bills, I don't think she can manage a rental agreement.

Great advice PhilistinesAreUnderrated and you're right I am concerned that the relationship will deteriorate so want to keep it as civil as I can.

Ultimately I can't afford to pay bills for her. I appreciate she is grieving too but I have not magically gained access to my father's bank accounts which she thinks I have. Not am I an expert in bereavement matters so I am struggling myself.

My father and her weren't married but she has been generously gifted items and money in the will. So she has no reason to feel she isn't included fairly.

There are other recipients of items on the will but it is myself and the partner who will benefit the greatest.

The legal situation is clear. The house is yours and anyone else living in it is either your guest or a tenant.
Without the family connection the way forward would be clear. There is a tenant in your house who pays rent. You insure the building. They pay the bills.
A lot hinges on your relationship with this woman. Are you close? Can you discuss this amicably with her? It clearly makes no sense for your legacy to simply be a drain on your resources. Can you come to an agreement about what might be a fair rent that she can afford? I do think you need to be firm about her paying the bills.

I am sorry about the loss of your father.

They pay the bills, including rent to you, or they can jog on!

This.

Sorry for your loss.

Just as an aside, does she need help sorting out her finances? As your father paid the bills (I presume), she may need help getting all the accounts switched to her, and finances sorted. Are you able (and willing) to do this?

I think they need tp pay the bills. However, it could be very difficult to evict them if they choose to stay. In a way I dont think you should pay the bills as it might encourage them to think they are on to a good thing. I agree with getting advice from a solicitor.

Awkward situation. Does she have relatives you can talk to and/or can talk to her. I agree she should pay the bills. She doesn’t get a free ride. I assume she still has an income/pension? If she pays the bills would you let her stay?

If she does stay in the house the other thing to think about is who pays maintenance and repairs? I know she’s elderly but she could live another decade or so. What if the boiler breaks down? Roof starts leaking?

Thank you again, the replies are really helping.

I haven't had much of a relationship with the partner before, mostly due to distance. I don't live in the UK so time together was limited to twice yearly visits. However since my father's death we've obviously talked at length to plan the funeral and sort out paperwork etc.

She may need help with sorting out her own accounts and I would be willing if I lived locally. She does have a large family nearby who can help and talk her through it.
I am concerned that my not living closer will be seen as a sign of possible exploitation.

What are your plans with the house, are you going to sell. Why would you pay bills if youre not living there. If she's on the electoral roll she would be named for the council tax. Are there executors for the will. It's not her house and never has been. Sorry for your loss but do get legal advice.