Death of tenant

If you or someone else was living with the tenant when they died you should refer to our information about tenancy succession for information on who may be eligible to take on the tenancy.

If no one was living with the tenant and you wish to return the property to Islington Council there are a number of things you need to be aware of to end the tenancy.

Surrendering the tenancy following the death of the tenant

Surrendering a tenancy on behalf of a loved one or a friend can be a very upsetting and stressful time. Please get in touch with our Housing Tenant Services team by email or by phone on 020 7527 5300 who can talk you through the process and signpost you to any support you may need. 

We do require a copy of the death certificate. Please either email this to us, with a contact phone number in case we need to call you, or call Housing Tenant Services on 020 7527 5300 to discuss this further. 

Rent and housing benefit

Rent will continue to be charged until the tenancy has ended and the keys to the property have been returned. Any arrears that accrue should be paid from the deceased tenant’s estate.

Please note if the deceased tenant was claiming housing benefit this ends immediately on their death.

Accessing the property

If no one has keys to the deceased tenant’s property, the council can issue a set of keys but only to the Executor or Administrator.

You should make arrangements to clear the property of all the deceased tenant’s furniture and personal belongings before returning the keys as if there are items left behind the council will dispose of them and will charge the tenant’s estate £290 for the cost of removal. This is called a recharge.

Returning the keys

If you are returning the keys because you are moving home, or are surrendering a tenancy on behalf of someone else this guidance is for you.

If you are moving home, you must return all keys including fobs, communal keys, window, garage and storage unit keys, along with a completed termination of tenancy form, to our office at 222 Upper Street, N1 1XR. The office is open from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. The keys must be returned before 12pm on the Monday following the end of your tenancy. If the keys are received anytime after this, you will be charged another weeks rent.

Please contact Housing Tenant Services by phone 020 7527 5300 or email to arrange an appointment to submit your keys and completed termination form. When you arrive for your appointment, please ask to see the Duty Tenancy Team who will also be able to help or signpost you with any other related queries or concerns you have.

The team will give you a receipt for the keys. Make sure it has the date and time on it and keep it safe as it is proof you have handed your keys in.

When you move out of your home, please remember to leave the gas or electricity keys/cards.