What happens when a tenant of Ealing Homes property has died
The council will end the tenancy by serving a Notice to Quit on either:
- The executor of the estate, if they are known.
- The Public Trustee, where the executor is not known or is not appointed.
Informing the Housing Office of the death
As soon as it is known that a tenant has died, the next of kin or representative of that
tenant must notify the
Area Housing Office and provide a copy of the death certificate as soon as one
has been issued.
Although the next of kin or representative may be allowed time to clear the property of the late tenant’s belongings, full rent will be charged until the keys are handed in.
Settling the account balance
Any rent due will be claimed from the late tenant’s estate, along with any arrears
that had accrued during the tenancy. Likewise, if the account has any credit balance it will
be refunded to the late tenant’s estate after all checks for any overpaid Housing Benefit have been
made.
After this has been confirmed and if there is any credit balance remaining, an indemnity form will be issued. This form will need to be completed by the late tenant’s representative before a refund can be issued. This form indemnifies Ealing Homes for any claims made by other relatives after the refund has been issued.
If there is no estate for an arrears balance to be paid from
You should write to the Debt Recovery Officer who is based at the
West Area Office to confirm that the balance cannot be paid, making a
declaration that there are no funds to clear the arrears balance.
Where the next of kin hands in the keys and death certificate before the Notice to Quit has expired, the Area Housing Manager has the discretion not to charge rent for the remaining Notice Period.
Please note that Housing Benefit payments will stop from the Sunday following the death of the tenant and therefore full rent of the property will be payable until the Monday following the receipt of the keys and death certificate.
