Utilities, council tax and bills
Guidance from Estate Advisory Group
Written and legally reviewed by Ramani Gill TEP, Solicitor and private client practitioner·Last reviewed 13 August 2026
The unglamorous half of being an attorney. Doing it in one sweep saves months of chasing.
The notification sweep
- Energy, water, phone, broadband and TV licence — register as attorney and ask for the Priority Services Register.
- Council tax — ask about the severe mental impairment discount and single person discount.
- Home and contents insurance — declare any change of occupancy.
- Subscriptions and memberships — cancel what the donor no longer uses.
Worked example: Angela becomes attorney for her father Colin after his dementia diagnosis. In one afternoon she works through every provider on his bank statement: energy and water companies (registering him on the Priority Services Register), the council (applying for the severe mental impairment council tax discount with a doctor's certificate), his mobile network, and three streaming subscriptions he no longer uses. The council tax discount alone, backdated to his diagnosis, refunds several hundred pounds.
A one-page notification list
| Provider type | What to ask for | Priority |
|---|---|---|
| Energy and water | Priority Services Register, attorney flag on account | High — safety and supply |
| Council tax | Severe mental impairment or single person discount | High — often backdated |
| Phone, broadband, TV licence | Attorney contact, review of need | Medium |
| Subscriptions and memberships | Cancellation of unused services | Low but adds up |
Money you may be leaving unclaimed
- Council tax severe mental impairment discount, which can be backdated.
- Warm Home Discount and Winter Fuel Payment.
- Attendance Allowance — see attorney and benefits.
- Water company social tariffs and metered assistance schemes.
Keep the trail
One folder, one spreadsheet
Record each provider, account number, who you spoke to and when they accepted the LPA. It is the fastest thing you will ever thank yourself for. See attorney record keeping.
When the house stands empty
If the donor has moved permanently into care and the house is unoccupied, tell the buildings insurer straight away, as most policies impose stricter terms — or exclude cover altogether — after 30 or 60 days empty. Turn off the water at the stopcock over winter unless someone is checking the property regularly, and consider a keyholder or a periodic inspection service. These are small jobs that prevent large, avoidable losses to the estate you are responsible for protecting.
Common questions
Can bills be paid from my account and reclaimed?
Better not. Pay from the donor's account. If you must pay first, keep the receipt and reclaim it as a documented expense.
Do I need to send the LPA to everyone?
Most providers accept a certified copy; some accept a scan. Order several certified copies at the start.
What is the Priority Services Register?
A free scheme run by energy and water companies giving extra support — advance warning of power cuts, safe passwords for callers — to people who are vulnerable or lack capacity.
Should I switch energy or broadband tariffs for the donor?
Yes if it genuinely saves money, but keep a note of the comparison you used so the decision is defensible if ever questioned.
Read next
Where this fits
This page is part of Money, tax and property. The pages below take it further.
- Property & Financial Affairs LPA
The LP1F: money, bills, savings, property and everything a bank will ask for.
- Make an LPA online
The whole journey end to end: questions, documents, signing and registration.
Review and sources
Reviewed by Ramani Gill TEP, Solicitor and private client practitioner. Last reviewed 13 August 2026. We recheck fees, forms and Office of the Public Guardian guidance whenever they change — see our editorial policy.
Official sources
Ready to make your LPA?
Choose one LPA or both, then start online for £49 per LPA.
The Office of the Public Guardian charges a separate £92 to register each LPA.
This is general information about how Lasting Powers of Attorney work in England and Wales. It is not legal advice about your situation. What we do and do not do.
Published by Estate Advisory Group