Sorting Utilities, Subscriptions, and Other Admin Bits

Beyond the big financial institutions, there's a raft of other companies and services that need notifying when someone passes away. Sorting out utility bills, cancelling subscriptions, and tying up these loose ends is essential admin. It stops unnecessary charges piling up and helps clear the way for settling the estate. Let's get these ticked off.

Why This Matters

Notifying these providers quickly achieves several things:

• Stops Charges: Prevents bills continuing to mount up against the estate for services no longer needed.
• Gets Final Bills: Allows you to get accurate final bills calculated up to the date of death or transfer.
• Allows Transfer: Enables services (like utilities for a property still occupied) to be transferred to a new name if needed.
• Prevents Fraud: Reduces the risk of identity theft or misuse of accounts.

Who to Notify: The Practical Checklist

You'll need to root through the deceased's paperwork, bank statements, and emails to find these. Look out for:

• Utility Companies:
  • Gas supplier
  • Electricity supplier
  • Water company
  • Landline telephone provider
  • Broadband/Internet provider
  • Mobile phone provider
• Council Tax: Inform the local council. They can adjust the bill, apply exemptions (like if the property is now empty), or transfer the account.
• TV Licensing: Cancel the TV Licence if no longer needed.
• Subscriptions & Memberships: This list can be long! Think about:
  • Streaming services (Netflix, Amazon Prime, Now TV, Disney+ etc.)
  • Magazine or newspaper subscriptions
  • Gym memberships
  • Club or society memberships
  • Professional body memberships
  • Online services or software subscriptions
  • Store loyalty cards (sometimes linked to credit)
  • Motoring organisations (AA, RAC etc.)

How to Notify Them

1. Find Contact Details: Look on recent bills, statements, or the providers' websites for their bereavement contact information. Many larger companies have dedicated bereavement teams.
2. Make Contact: Phone or write to each provider. Explain you are the executor handling the estate.
3. Provide Information: You'll usually need to give the deceased's name, address, account number, and the date they died. Have a copy of the death certificate handy as they will likely need to see it.
4. Give Meter Readings (Utilities): For gas, electricity, and water, try to take meter readings as close to the date of death as possible. Provide these readings when you notify the companies to help them calculate an accurate final bill.
5. Specify Action: Clearly state whether you want the account closed or transferred (e.g., if someone else is taking over the property or phone contract).
6. Cancel Future Payments: Ensure any Direct Debits or standing orders related to these accounts are cancelled once the final bill is settled.

Dealing with Subscriptions

Cancelling subscriptions often requires logging into online accounts or contacting customer service. Check bank statements for recurring payments to identify services you might not have paperwork for. Be persistent; some online services can be tricky to cancel without account access, but their support teams should have bereavement processes.

Keep Track

As with financial institutions, keep a record of who you have contacted, when, and the outcome (e.g., account closed, final bill requested). This helps ensure nothing gets missed.

Wrapping Up

Working through utilities and subscriptions is detailed work, but it is crucial for stopping unnecessary costs and tidying up the deceased's affairs. By tackling this list methodically, you are ensuring the estate isn't paying for things it shouldn't be.

Another set of tasks handled. You are methodically closing down the administrative side of things, allowing focus on the final stages. Keep it up.