What to do when someone passes away
We are sincerely sorry for your loss and we acknowledge that this can be a traumatic, stressful and emotional time.
We hope to make it as easy as possible when it comes to managing your loved one’s water account and have provided some information below to assist you.
When losing a loved one, it can be a highly stressful time with a lot to take care of. Calling up the water company is not likely to be high on your agenda, but it is essential to notify us as soon as you can.
The first thing you can do when it comes to the water account of your loved one, is to let us know so we can place a hold on the account to allow time for probate to pass and the property’s ownership updated. This means you wont have to worry about paying the account right away.
If you feel comfortable, please contact us on 131 851 to let us know if an account holder has passed away. Alternatively, you can email us at support@sew.com.au
If a property owner passes away and the property becomes a deceased estate, we will place a hold on debt collection until probate is passed, as soon as we are notified. Debt collection will remain on hold until the sale of the property or change of ownership has been finalised.
Once we are notified that the property title has been updated at the Titles Office (where ownership is legally changed), we will change the name on the account. The current account will be closed, and a new account will be created with the new owners’ details.
Any final balance remaining on the account, is the responsibility of the estate to finalise.
If you feel comfortable, please contact us on 13 16 94 to let us know if an account holder has passed away. Alternatively, you can email us at support@sew.com.au
If your loved one was a renter and the only renter at the property, please let us know so we can close the account.
If there are other renters at the property (even if they weren't on the account) we will ensure that your loved ones name is removed from the account and the other renter/s become the account holder/s.
If you feel comfortable, please contact us on 131 851 to let us know if an account holder has passed away. Alternatively, you can email us at support@sew.com.au
Responsibility for paying your loved ones bills, usually lies with their Estate. It isn't normally the executor's, next of kin, or relatives reponsibility.
Once probate has been completed and the estate has settled, the Land Titles Office (who manage property title details) will update the owner information on the property title record.
Once this has happened, the solicitor will need to send us a copy of the new title and we'll update our records accordingly.
When any bills are issued including the closing bill, the estate will be responsible for payment.
It is important to note, that service charges will continue to be billed daily even after your loved ones passing and will be issued with the final statement.
We can appreciate that there might be a lot of other expenses during this difficult time.
We want to offer you support via a range of payment assistance options. If you feel comfortable, please contact us on 131 851 to discuss payment options we can offer.