Who pays for the property costs while we wait?

The estate does. In practical terms, that usually means the executor is responsible for making sure the bills are dealt with from estate funds where possible. Those costs can include insurance, council tax, utility…

The estate does. In practical terms, that usually means the executor is responsible for making sure the bills are dealt with from estate funds where possible. Those costs can include insurance, council tax, utility standing charges, maintenance, mortgage payments, service charges and urgent repairs.

This is one reason delay is expensive. Even an empty property quietly costs money. Executors should keep careful records and treat these outgoings as estate expenses, not informal family contributions that are never documented.

A probate property does not have to be occupied to become a liability.

Related reading

• How to sell a probate property: a clear step-by-step guide for executors and familiesHow to sell a probate property: a clear step-by-step guide for executors and families/probate-guides/how-to-sell-a-probate-property/
• Inheritance Tax — do we owe it, and how much?Inheritance Tax — do we owe it, and how much?/knowledge-hub/inheritance-tax-on-a-probate-property/
• Do I pay tax when selling a probate property?Do I pay tax when selling a probate property?/knowledge-hub/capital-gains-tax-on-a-probate-property-sale/
• Can we use the property sale proceeds to pay Inheritance Tax before probate is granted?Can we use the property sale proceeds to pay Inheritance Tax before probate is granted?/knowledge-hub/using-sale-proceeds-to-pay-inheritance-tax-before-probate/
• Do we still have to pay council tax on an empty probate property?Do we still have to pay council tax on an empty probate property?/knowledge-hub/does-an-empty-probate-property-pay-council-tax/
• Can the estate pay Inheritance Tax before the house is sold?Can the estate pay Inheritance Tax before the house is sold?/knowledge-hub/can-inheritance-tax-be-paid-before-the-property-is-sold/