When someone dies it can be a very distressing time. We hope that the following information will help you if you are dealing with our tenant’s home at this difficult time.
You should tell us as soon as possible after the death, letting us know the name of the tenant and where they were living, together with the date of death.
The closest relative, or the person who has been appointed to deal with the late tenant’s affairs, should then write to us confirming the above. As soon as a death certificate is available, a copy should also be sent to us.
As soon as you know when the property will be cleared and handed back to us, a termination form (notice to quit) should be completed and returned to us at our head office. You can download a termination form here. Please note that the tenancy can only end on a Monday of each week.
Keys to the property should be returned to our head office by midday on a Monday at the latest either by hand or by recorded postal delivery. The property and the garden should be left in good condition and all belongings and rubbish should be removed. The cost of any necessary remedial works, including decoration works will be chargeable to the tenant's estate.
Rent for the property will be charged until the Monday date. If the tenant was receiving Housing Benefit, the Council should be notified immediately. Benefit will end on the nearest Sunday to the person’s death. This will mean that there will be no financial assistance towards the rent and payment of the rent will be due from the tenant’s estate.
On the death of a joint tenant, the tenancy automatically continues for the surviving joint tenant who still lives in the property. A person who was a joint tenancy and has become a sole tenant is defined as a successor tenant.
As with sole tenants, the Association must be informed as soon as possible about a joint tenant’s death, initially verbally and then to be followed up in writing so that the tenancy records can be amended.
If the deceased tenant or the remaining tenant claimed Housing Benefit at the address, the Council should be informed of the death straight away. Housing Benefit will end at the point of the tenant's death.