Ending a Tenancy after a Death Advice for relatives and next of kin www.cch-online.org.uk
Ending a Tenancy after a Death Ending a Tenancy after a Death Advice for relatives and next of kin We understand that this is a difficult time and we will deal sensitively with any questions you have about making arrangements to end the tenancy. If you are dealing with a relative or friend s tenancy because they have died, please advise Coast & Country straight away. Can I take over the tenancy? This depends on the type of tenancy involved, your relationship to the deceased tenant and your circumstances at the time of their death. If you are the joint tenant, spouse or partner of the deceased tenant and you were living in the property at the time of their death; Or You are a qualifying relative or carer and you were living in the property for at least 12 months prior to their death; Then you may have a right to take over the tenancy. This is known as a succession. If you wish to take over the tenancy and you think you may be eligible, please discuss this with us as soon as possible. You will be asked to complete a Succession Request form and you may need to provide us with evidence that you have lived in the property for the last 12 months. Once this has been provided, we will carry out the required checks and write to you with a decision. If your request is refused, we will explain the reason for this and advise you what will happen next. How do I end the tenancy? If the tenant has died and you are ending the tenancy as their Executor or Next of Kin, you should sign the Notice of Termination of a Tenancy After a Death form, giving your full details. A copy of the death certificate will be needed to end the tenancy, although we appreciate that in some circumstances this is not always available immediately. What happens next? Once we get a signed copy of the Ending Tenancy form, we will make an appointment so we can give you further advice and discuss any outstanding issues. The appointment will 2
normally be at the deceased tenant s property, as this allows us to look around and give you any assistance you need. The appointment will usually be within 48 hours from you telling us about the death, however, we appreciate this is a difficult time and we will always respect your wishes and work with what s best for you. It helps us to know how long you think you will need to make your arrangements, as we have to charge rent until you give us the keys. We will ask you who will be responsible for paying the rent until then. Additional time can be agreed but full rent will be charged. No charge week(s) There will be no charge for one week following the death. This is to allow time for you to empty and clean the property. In exceptional circumstances, this may be extended to two weeks. If you do not think you will have enough time to clear the property, please discuss this with our staff. 3
Ending a Tenancy after a Death 4
We will advise you of the balance of the rent account and any other credits or debts outstanding. Housing and council tax benefits We will tell housing benefits and council tax the date the tenant has died. If housing and council tax benefit was being paid, housing benefit will stop from the Sunday after the date of death and council tax benefit from the day before the date of death. Other benefits We will tell the Department for Work and Pensions of the date the tenant has died. HomeCall If the deceased tenant used the HomeCall Service any funding provided for this will stop from the Sunday after the date of death. What if there is a garage? You must tell us if the deceased tenant also rented a separate garage from us, as the tenancy for this will also need to be ended. You will need to clear out all belongings and leave the garage tidy, if this is not done there will be a charge for us to carry out this service. Gas and electricity Before you give us the keys, you will need to read the meters so that the final bill can be paid. You will also need to tell us who supplies the gas and electricity. Water meters You will need to turn off the water at the stop tap. If there is a water meter, you will need to read this so that the final bill can be paid. Security alarm If the property is fitted with a security alarm, you will need to tell us the security code. Handing in the keys We will make an appointment so that we can collect the keys from you at the deceased tenant s property or alternatively you can drop the keys off at your nearest District Office. We will always find the most convenient time for you, but you must bear in mind that rent is 5
Ending a Tenancy after a Death being charged until the keys are received. This could result in additional rent being charged. We expect a minimum of 2 full set of keys for every lock, including outhouses and meter cupboards. If we have to change or replace locks, you could be recharged for the cost of the work. How you can contact us: Please remember, we are here to help so please contact us via: Our website at: www.cch-online.org.uk Telephone 01642 771300 In person at your local housing office or our HQ at 14 Ennis Square, Dormanstown. Redcar, TS10 5JR Guidance information for next of kin on Exiting standard Exiting Standard Once you have collected personal possessions and belongings of sentimental value, we offer a service where we will remove all remaining items. This, we hope, will make the situation easier for you at this difficult and upsetting time. If you would like to use this service, please discuss details and costs at the District Office. If you do not wish to use this service, you will need to clear all the belongings from the property (and loft space), garden, garage and shed (as applicable). This includes any items you no longer want. The property should be left clean and tidy. If there are belongings left or the property is not clean there is a charge for us to deal with this. You should not make arrangements to leave anything in the property for the new tenant. Coast & Country will not be held responsible for such arrangements or any belongings that may subsequently be disposed of whilst the property is empty. 6
If there is any wilful damage to the property, there is a charge for us to carry out the repairs. Examples of clearance service charges: Level 1 clearance 26.09 removal of carpet/ flooring or approx 6 black bags Level 2 clearance 104.36 1 van load Level 3 clearance 208.74 2 van loads A 30% discount is deducted for full payment in advance Exterior The garden needs to be in a neat and tidy condition, grass must not be overgrown and no bulky items should be left. No items from the property to be fly-tipped elsewhere. Wheelie bins to be secured, cleaned and left within the property. Flooring / Walls / Ceilings All floors to be swept and clean, with no carpets left in place, unless this has previously been agreed with Coast & Country staff. All walls should be free from any deliberate or accidental damage, for example, holes. Door frames, skirting boards, mouldings and banister rails must be in good condition, clean and dirt free. 7
Ending a Tenancy after a Death 8
Windows and Doors Windows and frames should be washed. Please leave the property secure with all windows and doors shut and locked (any window lock keys to remain within the property). Handles, locks and catches should be free from grease and dirt. Kitchen Kitchen drawers, door handles, doors, drawer fronts, tiles and worktops should be in good condition, being clean and dirt free. All white goods to be disconnected and removed from the property; this includes electric and gas cookers, fridges and washing machines. Bathroom All bathroom fittings should be intact, clean and dirt free, including the bath, bathroom sink, WC and bath panel. An electric shower can be left within the property, providing it has been installed within current legal guidelines and there is relevant paperwork or certificates to support this. If this is not the case, it must be removed by a qualified electrician and the plasterwork made good, this includes areas of tiling that have been disturbed and appropriate plumbing disconnection. 9
Ending a Tenancy after a Death Heating Appliances Fires, radiators, boilers and storage heaters should be clean. Electrical fittings All light fittings, sockets and switches need to be clean. This includes door entry systems. Any nonstandard ceiling fittings must be replaced with a pendant fitting. Any non-standard wall lights/ spotlights must be removed and plasterwork made good. What if there are alterations and improvements? The property should be left in good condition and include all the original fixtures and fittings. The only exception is where Coast & Country has granted permission in writing for improvements or alterations to be carried out. In this case the improvements will be acceptable, as long as they are to a satisfactory standard. If not, there may be a charge for reinstating the property to its original condition. All electrical work must be carried out by a qualified electrician. 10
11
Coast & Country Headquarters 14 Ennis Square Redcar TS10 5JR T: 01642 771 300 E: enquiries@cchousing.org.uk www.cch-online.org.uk facebook.com/coastandcountryhousing twitter.com/cchousingonline