Death does not produce one identical outcome across all tenancies and countries. Handle the household sensitively and establish who has authority to act before changing the account or accepting a surrender.
Establish who remains and who can act
- Check for a surviving joint tenant and possible succession rights under the country's law.
- Ask for the executor, administrator or other authorised representative where an estate is involved.
- Keep communication sensitive and avoid demanding unnecessary personal documents from bereaved relatives.
Determine the legal position
- Obtain advice on whether and when the tenancy ends or passes to another person.
- Apply any specific statutory process where there is no executor or will, checking the country's scope carefully.
- Do not assume that returning keys, stopping benefits or a relative's statement settles the legal ending.
Reconcile money and property
- Calculate rent against the established legal dates and credit all receipts.
- Address a claim to the appropriate party, distinguishing estate liability from a relative's own obligations.
- Deal with the deposit and belongings through the applicable process, retaining an inventory and authority for collection.
Example: a relative offers the keys
A fictional tenant's sibling offers to return the keys but is not the executor and another occupant may have succession rights. Pause the proposed handover as a legal ending and establish authority and rights first. The sibling's helpful offer does not resolve them.
What to do
- Confirm the tenancy type, remaining occupants and authorised representative.
- Obtain advice on succession and the lawful end or continuation.
- Prepare a dated account addressed to the correct liable party.
Evidence to keep
- Tenancy and relevant death or representative information.
- Succession or ending decision, receipts and final account.
Sources and guidance
- If a tenant dies without an executor or a willUK Government · checked 20 October 2026
- Inheriting a private residential tenancyScottish Government · checked 20 October 2026
- Standard occupation contracts: guidance on the termsWelsh Government · checked 20 October 2026