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Relative unofficially claiming family property

11 replies

SevenSummer · 27/07/2024 18:38

Looking for advice please. I have dedicated most of my life to caring for my elderly Aunt and I have lived with her for the past twenty years. She owns a modest home outright and it is no secret she has left this to me in her Will when she dies. However due to her needs we have had to move in with my other Aunt and Uncle and my Aunt’s home has been left unoccupied for the last five months. My cousins have taken it in turns to help keep an eye on the house but all but one have now dropped out. My concern is that the remaining cousin is making herself quite at home. She is not paying anything towards it or any bills (I pay everything) but has been “sorting it out” and has taken the keys and clearly has designs on it being her home with throwaway comments to others about “buying me out” or paying a quarter of what the rental income would be. The rest of the family seem to be encouraging her and have an everybody wins attitude but my Aunt does not like this cousin and has hardly seen her for years. She has form for leaving other relatives near bankruptcy due to her exploits. A condition of leaving the house to me was so I had some security and would not sell it on. I am scared about the position this leaves me in as my Aunt is showing early signs of dementia and the Aunt and Uncle we live with have ill health and don’t own their home. Please can anyone advise on any agencies I could contact as I have no family support in this situation.

OP posts:
Motnight · 27/07/2024 18:44

Why are you paying bills for a house that you neither currently own nor live in?

SevenSummer · 27/07/2024 18:46

I was paying them for my Aunt because she doesn’t have direct debit. I cancelled all utilities but am still paying the council tax

OP posts:
Motnight · 27/07/2024 18:47

Is your aunt happy with the current arrangements? Stop paying the council tax!

glittercunt · 27/07/2024 18:48

You need to get legal power of attorney I think.

leeverarch · 27/07/2024 18:50

Is this cousin getting rid of your aunt's possessions? Is she actually living there? If I were you, and since you are the council taxpayer and presumably have bills in your name at that address, I'd be engaging a locksmith.

Does your aunt still have capacity? Maybe speak to social services, because she could be entitled to far more help than you are currently getting.

JoyousPinkPeer · 27/07/2024 18:51

Get the cousin out and get somebody in as a free house sit or to rent - either way you need a contract. You do need to get power of attorney if this is still.possinle - the sooner the better!

coldcallerbaiter · 27/07/2024 18:53

Wait til the cousin leaves for the day eg. To work and get the locks changed, have her stuff boxed up go her to collect outside.

Whete would she live if not at this house.

Fleamaker · 27/07/2024 18:53

Is this a permanent arrangement or are you and your aunt planning on returning to the house?

If cousin has moved in, the longer she's there the harder it will be to get her out.

If aunt doesn't want her there, cousin needs to be told and then the locks changed.

Fleamaker · 27/07/2024 18:54

I have similar situation with my brother, claiming the family home. Some people see an empty property and see an opportunity

Lampslights · 27/07/2024 18:57

Are you paying with your own money or yout aunts.

AzureAnt · 27/07/2024 19:09

You probably need to seek legal advice ASAP.

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