Prospective house buyer wants to do renovations before probate.

[Windymiller]

Hi everyone. Yet another question - I hope you don't mind, you thought my other questions were complicated.........

It concerns my late father's house. The IHT has been paid, the solicitor is now waiting for the code to come through from HMRC (this is all info from my uncle who's directly in touch with the solicitor BTW).

A man wants to buy the house for £600K, which is good. The thing is he has 3 to 9 months to live, so he has transferred all his money to his wife.
Plus, before he (or rather she) becomes the owner (after probate comes through, of course), he wants to do renovations - heating, redecoration, carpets, etc.. This is all complicated by the fact the house is a listed property, so not just any renovations can be done. Apparently he's not bothered about this (his business).

What he wants to do is start doing the renovations before probate goes through.
Someone has mentioned one way this could happen is they could move in 'on licence' (?).
Our solicitor and theirs are apparently in communication about these matters.

Has anyone ever heard of this 'moving in on licence' before?

[atticus]

This is a massive problem waiting to happen. Take your solicitor's advice. My advice is not to do it.

[Windymiller]

Thanks so much, atticus , I must admit that was my instinct also. I've texted your reply to my uncle (fellow executor).