Estate Electricity and District Heating Agreements

The agreements continue as normal. Energy companies do not automatically receive information about a customer’s death, so the next of kin should notify the electricity/heating supplier of the death as soon as possible, but no later than three months after the estate inventory has been completed.

Yes. The electricity/heating supplier must be informed separately of the death so that the agreements can be transferred to the estate or terminated if necessary. In addition, the supplier requires up-to-date contact information to ensure that the final invoice is not sent to the deceased person’s former address and that an e-invoice is not left unpaid because of a frozen bank account.

Changes to customer information in the electricity agreement are automatically forwarded to the distribution network operator responsible for the point of consumption. Therefore, no separate notification to the network company is required when the estate’s electricity agreement details are updated. The network company only needs to be contacted if ownership of the electricity connection changes.

Typically, the estate authorizes one of the heirs to manage contract matters. The important thing is that the contact person has authorization from all estate beneficiaries to handle matters and make decisions. It is advisable to agree as soon as possible after the death who will be responsible for the contract matters.

You can find the power of attorney here.

Oy Herrfors Ab only requires a power of attorney from the person managing the estate’s affairs. You do not need to submit additional documents, such as an official certificate.

If the deceased person’s home becomes unoccupied and is, for example, intended to be sold after the estate inventory, the electricity agreement can be terminated as soon as it is no longer needed. In such a situation, even a fixed-term electricity agreement may be terminated.

Please note that when the electricity agreement is terminated, the electricity supply to the property is completely disconnected until a new agreement is signed.

If the property will continue to be used, either as a permanent residence or, for example, as a holiday home, it is advisable to transfer the agreement to the person who will use the property, to a member of the estate (authorized representative), or to all estate beneficiaries jointly.

The agreements may remain in the estate’s name until the estate inventory has been completed. Normally, the estate inventory must be carried out within three months of the death, although an extension may be granted in exceptional circumstances.

After the estate inventory, the agreements must be terminated and transferred to another person’s name. The reason is that agreements must be linked to a legally competent natural or legal person. An estate is not a legal entity but a temporary association of individuals.

For the same reason, a new agreement cannot be signed in the estate’s name, even if a fixed-term agreement is about to expire or the estate inventory is delayed.

Once the estate inventory has been completed, please contact our customer service to terminate the agreements and arrange new ones if necessary.

If a family member of the deceased continues to live in the property, a new agreement should be signed in that person’s name. In practice, the old agreement is terminated and a new agreement is created for the remaining family member. The price may also change when the new agreement is signed.

Even if a married or cohabiting couple had a joint electricity agreement, the joint agreement must be terminated when one party passes away.

If the property will not have a permanent resident but remains jointly owned by the heirs, the agreement can be made jointly in the names of all heirs. This ensures that all parties share equal responsibility for payments, just as estate beneficiaries are jointly responsible for the estate’s debts.

The heirs should nevertheless agree among themselves on payment responsibilities and, if necessary, document the arrangement in writing.

Unfortunately, electricity agreements cannot be transferred from one person to another. Therefore, an electricity agreement in the estate’s name must be terminated no later than after the estate inventory has been completed. If electricity is still needed at the property, a new agreement must be signed in the name of a legally competent person.

Even if the distribution of the inheritance is delayed, the agreement can be signed in the name of the person or persons who use the electricity at the property.

For all questions regarding the payment of an estate’s invoices, please contact our customer service. We can review your situation and help find a suitable solution.