How to end a tenancy after bereavement

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How do I end a tenancy that is no longer needed?
How much notice do you require?
What items do I need to clear from the property?
What do I do with the keys?
Who else may I need to notify of the tenant’s death?
Further information
Contact us

We appreciate that this can be a very difficult time and hope that the following frequently asked questions provide you with all the information you need to end a tenancy with us.

How do I end a tenancy that is no longer needed?

Please contact us and tell us your name, address and contact number as well as the name and address of the tenant who has died.

We will also need to know:

your relationship with the tenant
the date the tenant died
whether you are the person who is responsible for carrying out the terms of their will (you are an ‘Executor’ to their will).

If you are a friend of the deceased, we will ask you for any details of relatives they had, as for legal reasons, a relative is needed to end the tenancy.

It would also be helpful to tell us when the property will be cleared of possessions and when the keys will be returned to us.

How much notice do you require?

Tenancies must end on a Monday and we usually ask for four weeks notice but we will obviously be more flexible when a tenant has died. Under Woking Borough Council’s Tenancy Agreement, full rent is payable until the keys are returned to us.

Any outstanding rent will be charged to the late tenant’s ‘Estate’ and if rent has been paid in advance we will refund this to the tenant’s ‘Estate’.

If the tenant was in receipt of Housing Benefit this will automatically be cancelled from the date of their death.

What items do I need to clear from the property?

Please remove all personal items from the tenant’s property, including carpets, curtains, furniture and ‘white’ goods (e.g. kitchen appliances) before the keys are returned.

The property should be left clean and tidy. If it is not possible to do this, we may charge the ‘Estate’ for any work we carry out. If you think there might be a problem, please contact a Housing Officer to discuss your concerns.

What do I do with the keys?

Please label the keys with the property address and hand them to us at the Civic Offices. We will give you a receipt for them. Please do not post the keys to us or leave them in the property as this might delay the tenancy end date. Again, if it is difficult for you to return the keys to us, please contact a Housing Officer who can discuss alternative arrangements with you.

Who else may I need to notify of the tenant’s death?

You may wish to contact the following organisations:

Register of births, marriages and deaths on 0845 129 5900.
Council tax and benefits on 0845 612 2422.
Department of work and pensions.
Dentist, optician and local GP.
Building society, bank or credit companies.
Utilities companies (e.g. gas, electricity and telephone companies).

Further information

If you would like to speak to someone for help and advice after someone close to you dies, you can contact Cruse Bereavement Care Helpline on 0844 477 9400.

Contact us

For more information on ending a tenancy after bereavement, please contact Tenant and Leaseholder Services at the Civic Offices, telephone 01483 743606 or email T&L@woking.gov.uk