We understand that losing a loved one can be a difficult and emotional time. We have provided the information below to help guide you through the next steps and make the process as straightforward as possible.
If you were living with a tenant who has passed away, or you are helping to manage their property, belongings or affairs (known as their estate), please contact us as soon as possible.
We can advise you on whether anyone living in the property may have the right to remain in the home, or whether the tenancy will need to end. We will explain the options available and support you through the process.
You can find details of how to contact us on our Contact Us page.
If a joint tenant in a secure or assured tenancy dies, the surviving joint tenant will usually become the sole tenant. They will be responsible for all future rent payments, including any outstanding rent arrears.
In some circumstances, a tenancy may be transferred to a spouse, civil partner, family member or another qualifying household member. This is known as succession.
When you contact us, we will discuss your circumstances and help determine whether succession may apply.
If you are the surviving joint tenant and do not wish to continue with the tenancy, you can request that the tenancy be ended.
If the tenancy was held by a sole tenant, and you are the next of kin, executor of the will, or administrator of the estate, please get in touch with us. We understand that every situation is different and will work with you to explain the available options and next steps.
If there is no succession and the tenancy needs to end, we will usually agree a shorter notice period in recognition of the circumstances.
This will normally be subject to the property being cleared of all personal belongings and household items, and the keys being returned by the agreed end date.
The deceased tenant's personal possessions will usually form part of their estate and will normally pass to their next of kin or beneficiaries in accordance with their will. If there is no will, different legal arrangements may apply. If you need access to the property to remove belongings, please speak to us and we will explain the process and any timescales involved.