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(Apologies - also posted in the housing thread, which I am trying to remove)
I am hoping that someone can assist me with some constructive advice and I apologise if anyone finds the content of my post distressing.
My mum passed away unexpectedly from cancer at the end of last year. She lived alone in sheltered housing belonging to a north Wales council and claimed housing benefit and pension credit.
She left no estate and I understand there is no requirement for the family to pay any costs associated with clearance because of this (their rules not mine).
I made the mistake of informing the council that she had passed away, which almost immediately resulted in a barrage of financial demands from the council. I tried reasoning with them, pointing out that any estate would be liable for any costs incurred, but in this case there was no estate.
I have been told by very reliable sources such as the shelter legal advice line and the citizen’s advice bureaux, that neither I, nor indeed any of my family is under any obligation to pay the council.
My own health is extremely poor and I wish I’d thought of the consequences of informing them. In hindsight, I should have let another family member do this instead.
Initially, the council agreed that no fee was payable, but further down the line, I started to receive demands for payment yet again.
Once again I made contact with the council, this time by telephone. A rather patronising lady at the other end didn’t appear to realise that my mum had passed away and unfortunately for some strange reason I cannot fathom, she started sneering and laughing.
Naturally, I made a formal complaint to the acting complaints officer regarding the conduct of this member of staff. Although the complaints officer was helpful, my complaint appeared to fall on deaf ears / they claimed it didn’t happen and after several attempts at communicating; I received no response at all.
Today, I received a letter through the post with both mine and my mum’s name on (in respect of the late _____), from a debt collection agency called Jacobs based in Merseyside. They are acting on behalf of the council and are demanding I pay them £180.
Perhaps the council have decided to pass the matter onto a debt collection agency because I lodged a complaint against one of their employees, I don’t know. Deep down, I believe the council are just fishing and that if Jacobs did attempt to take it to court, the judge would be very unsympathetic towards the council.
I have considered suing the council in the county court for harassment. Any constructive advice would be most welcome.
I am hoping that someone can assist me with some constructive advice and I apologise if anyone finds the content of my post distressing.
My mum passed away unexpectedly from cancer at the end of last year. She lived alone in sheltered housing belonging to a north Wales council and claimed housing benefit and pension credit.
She left no estate and I understand there is no requirement for the family to pay any costs associated with clearance because of this (their rules not mine).
I made the mistake of informing the council that she had passed away, which almost immediately resulted in a barrage of financial demands from the council. I tried reasoning with them, pointing out that any estate would be liable for any costs incurred, but in this case there was no estate.
I have been told by very reliable sources such as the shelter legal advice line and the citizen’s advice bureaux, that neither I, nor indeed any of my family is under any obligation to pay the council.
My own health is extremely poor and I wish I’d thought of the consequences of informing them. In hindsight, I should have let another family member do this instead.
Initially, the council agreed that no fee was payable, but further down the line, I started to receive demands for payment yet again.
Once again I made contact with the council, this time by telephone. A rather patronising lady at the other end didn’t appear to realise that my mum had passed away and unfortunately for some strange reason I cannot fathom, she started sneering and laughing.
Naturally, I made a formal complaint to the acting complaints officer regarding the conduct of this member of staff. Although the complaints officer was helpful, my complaint appeared to fall on deaf ears / they claimed it didn’t happen and after several attempts at communicating; I received no response at all.
Today, I received a letter through the post with both mine and my mum’s name on (in respect of the late _____), from a debt collection agency called Jacobs based in Merseyside. They are acting on behalf of the council and are demanding I pay them £180.
Perhaps the council have decided to pass the matter onto a debt collection agency because I lodged a complaint against one of their employees, I don’t know. Deep down, I believe the council are just fishing and that if Jacobs did attempt to take it to court, the judge would be very unsympathetic towards the council.
I have considered suing the council in the county court for harassment. Any constructive advice would be most welcome.
to LB.
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