I just found some info about it, at this site
UK Debt Advice
What to do about Debt after someone dies
Even when you're dead, you've still got to pay your debts. When someone dies, debts are recoverable from any assets or money left behind. This is known as the "estate". No one else has to pay for the debts unless they are already liable under the terms of the original agreement, eg the debt is in joint names or someone has signed as a guarantor.
COUNCIL TAX & WATER RATES
Water rates would be paid out of any estate, unless someone else lives in the house. A joint occupier will automatically be liable for any arrears, even if their name is not on the bill. They will also be responsible for the ongoing bill.
Council tax liability stops if no one is living in the house. Tell the council as soon as possible. A partner of the person who died will be liable for any council tax arrears, even if their name is not on the bill.
They will also be responsible for the ongoing bill, but will be able to claim a 25% discount if they are the only adult in the house.
and more details here also TheSite.org
Question
As an administrator for an estate that is intestate do I become liable for council tax debt? The local council are saying I have to pay out of my own pocket, rather than wait for the estate to be settled.
Answer
If someone dies, the local authority may write off the debt. There's no specific legislation that covers this process, but local authorities have the right to modify their own standing orders or financial regulations to enable amounts of council tax arrears to be written off, if they aren't recoverable, or if it's uneconomical to pursue the arrears. If someone dies with a small council tax debt, you could try to argue that it would be uneconomical to collect the arrears. You should check the local authority's standing orders to see if they have the power to do this.
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