NEW CROSS: Family asked to pay rent after aunt died (From News Shopper)

NEW CROSS: Family asked to pay rent after aunt died

9:30am Saturday 6th February 2010 in

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A GRIEVING family was left “shocked” after a council demanded £336 in rent two months after their aunt died.

Gladys Lloyd, aged 81, lived in her council home of Saltwood House, Lovelinch Close, New Cross, for 34 years but died on November 19.

Her nephew and niece, James and Lisa Newton, followed the correct procedure of notifying Lewisham Homes and returning the keys to her property.

Two months later they received a demand for rent from the council's debt recovery team.

Mr Newton, said: “When we got the letter we were completely shocked.

“We let Lewisham Homes know within two days of my aunt's death. We were told to bring in the keys by a certain date and were given no other information about our responsibilities.”

The family have been told they must pay a month's rent at the full rate because Miss Lloyd’s housing benefit stopped when she passed away.

Mr Newton, of Beckwith Road, Herne Hill, said: “We think the policy is ridiculous.

“Communication with the next of kin needs to be in written and oral form immediately.”

The 41-year-old added: “We would like to see a couple of weeks' grace for the families to clear the property.”

Whitefoot ward councillor Pete Pattisson was contacted by the family asking for help.

Cllr Pattisson said: “It must be so hard to be dealing with the loss of a loved one, only to find you are being chased by the council for the rent for the month following their death.”

He added: “While the council does need to maintain its rental income, there must be a more sensitive way to handle this.”

Lewisham Homes has been managing tenants' homes on behalf of Lewisham Council since 2007.

A spokesman said: “We understand this is a difficult time for Miss Lloyd’s family and we are very sorry for any distress caused to them.

“We recognise we could have dealt with the situation more sensitively and have instructed staff to look at cases such as these on an individual basis and our communications with bereaved relatives and next of kin.”