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When a person has died their death needs to be registered with the council’s registration service. If they were a Dudley Council tenant you will also need to inform housing services by calling 0300 555 2345.
Dudley Council provides a service called Tell us once. When you register a death with the council’s registration service they will then notify all of the government and council departments that need to know about the death on your behalf. This includes housing services, the council tax department and housing and council tax benefit. For more information go to Tell Us Once.
Once you have notified housing services, either directly or through Tell us once, we will arrange a convenient appointment for our property liaison officer to visit the next of kin at the property. They will complete the relevant paperwork and advice on arrangements to terminate the tenancy.
Rent is still payable on the tenancy until the keys are returned.
Legal termination of the tenancy will always be on a Monday before 12 noon. Therefore, if the keys are returned after 12 noon on a Monday, or on any other day, the tenancy will end the following Monday.
If the tenant was in receipt of housing benefit this will end on the Sunday following the death. This will mean that full rent will be charged from this date until the tenancy is ended.
Any outstanding rent balance will need to be paid from the estate of the tenant. A letter will be sent to the next of kin once the tenancy is ended advising the balance outstanding. If there are monies from the estate to cover the balance payment can be made to the payment reference on the letter.
If there is no estate or monies remaining to pay the balance the next of kin need to write to the Council to confirm that this is the case. The account will then be closed.
Gas and electric meters should be read and utility companies notified.
Our property liaison officer will advise on the removal of fixtures from the property. Carpets and flooring can generally be left at the property if they are in good condition. Furniture and other items should be removed from all areas of the property including the loft, garage and outhouse.
If there is any unwanted furniture to dispose of there are a number of ways including hiring a skip or arranging a house clearance – many charities also collect furniture.
You will be advised if non standard items can be left at the property.
For further information please contact Housing Services on 0300 555 2345.
