Brighton Council has come under fire after disposing of the belongings of a deceased man, leaving his brother feeling devastated. Simon Byrne, the brother of the 29-year-old man who passed away in temporary council accommodation, had arranged to collect his brother Chris’s possessions, only to find out that they had been thrown away by council contractors.
This incident has shed light on the lack of clear guidelines for handling the belongings of deceased council tenants. Different councils have varying policies, with some requiring proof of identity from next of kin while others demand grants of probate, which can be a lengthy process. In some cases, precious heirlooms have been lost when councils disposed of a tenant’s belongings without proper procedures.
In a similar case reported by the Guardian, a family lost cherished possessions when a council cleared a flat before the tenant was declared dead by a coroner. The family was unable to apply for probate without a death certificate, highlighting the challenges faced by relatives in such situations.
The Law Society’s Ian Bond emphasized that relatives should not need probate to access a property and retrieve important documents. However, councils often insist on probate, causing delays and distress for families already coping with the loss of a loved one.
The local government and social care ombudsman acknowledged the accountability gap in handling cases of deceased tenants’ belongings. There is confusion over which regulatory body has jurisdiction in such matters, leading to unresolved issues for families.
Both the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Housing, Communities, and Local Government have been unclear about their roles in guiding councils on their responsibilities towards bereaved families. This lack of clarity has left families vulnerable to the mishandling of their loved ones’ possessions.
Brighton and Hove Council expressed regret over the disposal of Chris Byrne’s belongings, attributing it to an error by a former contractor. Council cabinet member Gill Williams apologized for the distress caused to the family and acknowledged the importance of preserving the memories of those who have passed away.
Simon Byrne’s experience of rummaging through a skip in search of his brother’s belongings highlights the insensitive treatment of deceased tenants by councils. The lack of empathy and understanding towards grieving families underscores the need for clearer guidelines and compassionate handling of such situations.
It is essential for councils to review their policies and procedures to ensure that the belongings of deceased tenants are treated with respect and sensitivity. Families should not have to endure additional pain and suffering while dealing with the loss of a loved one. The mishandling of deceased tenants’ possessions must be addressed to prevent further distress to grieving families in the future.
