We understand that losing a loved one is a deeply difficult time. When someone passes away, there are important steps to take regarding their home.
We hope the information below helps to guide you through the process of ending the tenancy and managing any associated responsibilities.
Please get in touch if you have any questions or need support.
Steps to end a tenancy
To prevent rent arrears from building up against the estate, it’s important to let us know as soon as possible. We will need:
- A completed tenancy termination form
. - A copy of the death certificate
Please note: we are unable to accept email notices. Please contact us if you need some help to complete the form.
If you believe you may have the right to succeed the tenancy and would like us to consider your request, please contact us directly. You don’t need to complete the form — just let us know, and we’ll make sure your enquiry is passed to the appropriate team for review.
You’ll need to provide four weeks’ written notice, starting from the first Monday after we receive the documents.
During this time, rent will continue to be charged, and you’ll have time to:
- Clear and clean the property
- Arrange for key return
- Address any repairs if necessary
Further guidance can be found on our Moving out page.
Any outstanding rent or recharges at the end of the notice period will become the responsibility of the deceased's estate.
Rent will be charged throughout the four-week notice period. Please ensure the rent account is up to date.
If any arrears or costs remain unpaid, these will be recovered from the estate.
We recommend contacting us to confirm the rent balance and settle any payments before handing back the keys.
If the tenant was receiving Housing Benefit or Universal Credit, please notify:
- The local council (for Housing Benefit)
- The Department for Work and Pensions (for Universal Credit)
This will help prevent overpayments and avoid delays in finalising the account.
Where possible, we’ll arrange an appointment with you during the notice period to discuss:
- Any required repairs or remedial works
- Whether any unauthorised alterations need to be reversed
- General condition of the home
This helps ensure the estate avoids unnecessary charges.
Before the tenancy ends, please ensure the property is:
- Fully cleared of personal belongings, including sheds, lofts, garages, and gardens
- Clean and tidy, with grass cut and refuse removed
We may need to recharge the estate for any clearing or cleaning work we carry out after the tenancy ends.
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.
Care alarm equipment: Please contact our Careline service (if the equipment is supplied by us) to arrange return of any alarm devices.
Disability aids: Items such as bath lifts, walkers, or wheelchairs often have a provider’s contact details on them. Please contact the provider to arrange collection or return.
We will provide a key safe before the move. Please:
- Leave the front door and communal keys in the key safe by 10am on the Monday after the tenancy ends.
- Leave other keys (e.g. window, garage, shed, fobs, parking permits) in a clearly marked envelope inside the kitchen drawer.
- Lock all windows and doors securely before leaving.
- Email us confirmation at lettingssupportteam@sng.org.uk once the keys have been left in the keysafe.
Rent will continue to be charged until all keys are returned. Unreturned keys may result in additional charges.
Please leave any prepayment cards or keys in the meters — they are non-transferable. Make sure there is no debt remaining on the meters.
We understand this can be an overwhelming process. Our team is here to help you every step of the way.
If you have questions or need help completing the necessary forms, please contact us and we’ll support you with care and sensitivity.
For private market rent properties, the process outlined above still applies, with the following exceptions:
- Notice can be given on any day of the week.
- If you are acting as the executor of the estate, we will require supporting documentation to submit to the Deposit Protection Service in order to release the funds.