A Deceased Persons House

[austinsmirk]

I work in social housing. I cannot begin to tell you how many people try to get their names down for neighbours homes whilst they are in hospital, in temp residential care, on holiday, looking a bit peaky, gone to the shops for a bit too long: let alone how excited they get on the day of a funeral and a wake ( with fight) in a flat roofed pub.

[aw51 121565]

austinsmirk said:

I work in social housing. I cannot begin to tell you how many people try to get their names down for neighbours homes whilst they are in hospital, in temp residential care, on holiday, looking a bit peaky, gone to the shops for a bit too long: let alone how excited they get on the day of a funeral and a wake ( with fight) in a flat roofed pub.

A death always brings out the "M People" in people ("I see your true colours, shining through..."),

My mum passed away late September last year, she had a will and my foster sister (from '78) and I have a one part-three parts split in mum's will. Unfortunately, my (foster) sister lives 200 miles away in London so I am IT with regard to clearing the house and sorting probate and debtors etc. Easy-peasy, as my second wife passed away 3 years ago (sans will so I had to apply for grant of administration fairly recently); it's a pretty similar process - but the emotional cost of now having two houses to clear is high. I know all about taking it easy emotionally nowadays, but my sister has no comprehension and is seriously kicking off that - just 6 months after mum passed away unexpectedly - probate hasn't been granted and the house sold so she can get her share of the estate. As a point of reference, her own mum lived in a council house and also passed away 3 years ago; her family had to empty the house in 4 weeks so the property could be relet... I am lucky I have the time to sort mum's estate in a timely fashion and not rush it, I am fully aware.

Mind you, my sister thinks that "applying for probate" means that "probate closes all bank accounts and deals with all creditors and debtors"... If only it didn't start a day or two after the death and continue intermittently for several months.

I have no particular emotional attachment to my mum's house; until my dad left home when I was 10 it was a magical place but after that it was pretty oppressive (my mum tried her best bringing my sister and I up, and while my sister has golden memories [laced with lashings of red wine] of that time I don't), I'll be glad to see the back of the place and trouser the cash (how mercenary does that sound??) - but it is still an emotional journey clearing the place, and I am taking my time.

I'd suggest to the OP waiting until his/her target appears on Zoopla etc; if one asks 500 bereaved people about when their deceased relative's house will be ready for sale, one will receive 495 different answers (and one neveer knows what else is going on in people's lives)...

[hidetheelephants]

aw51 121565 said:

A death always brings out the "M People" in people ("I see your true colours, shining through..."),

That was Cyndi Lauper.

[Skyedriver]

Thanks for that aw51 121565.
Everyone is different and yes it can take time to resolve probate and the emotional links.
My thoughts are with you on that.

Just to bring this thread to closure, I sent a letter at the weekend and one of the family called me last night to advise that in time they will be selling and discussed the house at length. Which brings me to a totally different thread on here.

Thanks for all you advice and suggestions.

[Mr GrimNasty]

I wouldn't see any harm in asking if I cadaver look around.

[dickymint]

Mr GrimNasty said:

I wouldn't see any harm in asking if I cadaver look around.

[superlightr]

Hitch said:

elanfan said:

I don't see what's wrong with a note along the lines of:

Dear Sirs,

My apologies if my enquiry comes at an inappropriate time. My family and I are relocating from Skye and are seeking our 'forever home' (we are NOT developers or speculators). This property is lovely and if by any chance it is to be offered for sale we would appreciate you letting us know.

Sorry again for the nature of this approach but we really do like the house.

Name/ phone/ email

A double apology note. How very British! Do you have to walk backwards whilst bowing once you've slid it through the door?!

I thought it very rude - it should have been a triple apology note as everyone with any English decorum knows. Walk backwards and bow - of course tis the only way to go forward in Her Majesty's Kingdom.