Ending a tenancy when someone's died
In the difficult days after a loved one has died, we hope the following information gives you all the information you need related to their tenancy.
The first thing you’ll need to do is end their tenancy on their behalf – this will prevent arrears building up against their estate.
(Please note that there are slightly different arrangements for our private market rented homes, so please visit our section on information for private market rent customers.)
What you need to remember
You'll need to:
You’ll need to write to us to let us know that you’d like to end their tenancy or get in touch for a form. You’ll be able to complete the form electronically and enclose a copy of the death certificate – unfortunately, we can’t accept email notices.
We need four weeks’ notice, so the tenancy will end four weeks from the first Monday after we receive these details. This will give you time to clear and clean the property before you hand back the keys.
We’ll keep charging the weekly rent during the four week notice period. Any arrears or money owed will need to be cleared before the tenancy ends. If any charges remain outstanding, they’ll be charged to the estate.
If all or part of the rent is paid by Housing Benefit or Universal Credit, please get in touch with the local authority or the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) to let them know.
During the notice period, we’ll make a telephone appointment to discuss the end of the tenancy with you. We’ll then let you know any work you may need to do to avoid the estate incurring costs for repairs.
Please hand back the property in a clean and tidy condition. This includes clearing any sheds, lofts or garages, as well as cutting the grass. If any belongings are left behind without our agreement, we’ll have them removed. We’ll then have to recharge the estate for any cleaning or clearing that needs to be done at the property once the tenancy has ended.
Please make sure you lock all the doors and windows when you leave the property. We’ll fit a key safe before you move and let you know the code so that you can make sure the front door and communal keys are left in the key safe by 10am on the Monday after the tenancy ends. (The rest of the keys, fobs, shed keys, garage keys and parking permits can be left in a kitchen drawer.) Please also bear in mind that we’ll have to continue to charge rent to the estate until these items are returned. There may also be additional charges if the keys aren’t returned.
If alterations or repairs have been made to the property without our permission – and they haven’t been carried out to a high enough standard – we may have to charge the estate the costs to put them right. If you’re unsure about any of the repairs or alterations that have been made, please contact us to check, or discuss it with us at the property inspection.
If there’s a care alarm system in the property, please let Sovereign Careline know that the tenancy is ending and arrange to send the equipment back to them.
If there are any disabled aids in the property, including a walking frame, bath aids, or a wheelchair, please arrange for them to be sent back to the provider. You’ll usually find a sticker with the telephone number and a reference on each item.
Please leave the gas and electric cards or keys in the meters as they won’t work anywhere else. You should also make sure you don’t leave any money owed on the meters.