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Jackie Stacey, a 67-year-old woman from Caterham, Surrey, faced a difficult and stressful experience after her father passed away and she struggled to sell his retirement flat. Despite her efforts, she found herself paying hundreds of pounds each month for two years on the property in Epsom, long after her father had died. The mounting financial strain eventually caused her to collapse from stress shortly before the flat was finally sold.
Jackie and her brother had to significantly reduce the asking price of the flat by £70,000, while still covering ongoing expenses such as rising maintenance charges, management fees, and council tax on the vacant property. Epsom and Ewell Borough Council declined to comment on individual cases but highlighted their policy that applies a 100% council tax premium on properties left empty and unfurnished for more than a year.
Her parents purchased the retirement flat in the center of Epsom approximately two decades ago after her mother suffered a stroke, thinking it was ideal for their needs. After her mother died, they took out equity release while her father continued living there alone. Jackie recalled her father’s concern before his passing: “‘I hope I haven’t left you a headache.’ We said ‘no dad, it would be fine.'” However, the reality of selling the flat turned out to be far more complicated than she had imagined.
Jackie described the flat as “beautiful,” featuring a garden that backed onto a park, yet it was difficult to find a buyer. She called the whole ordeal “a complete nightmare,” with the persistent financial burden creating significant stress. The costs, including maintenance charges, ground rent, and council tax—which doubled from £300 to £600 a month—formed what she called a “real money drain.” Ultimately, the flat sold for £175,000 after multiple price reductions from the original £245,000 asking price, providing Jackie and her brother with about £15,000 to £17,000 each. Reflecting on the experience, she said, “My dad would have been so upset. My parents went without for us and said it would all be for us.
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