If someone dies

Council tax fact sheet

We understand that there are a lot of things to organise when a loved one dies. 

The position regarding council tax is that the earlier you contact us after someone dies, the sooner we can cancel the council tax. 

If you are the executor of the will, and the property becomes empty, you won't have to pay council tax until the will is sorted out. If the property stays empty, it will be exempt for another six months. 

The important thing is to let us know as soon as possible. We will need to know: 

• the date the person died;
• whether the person who died was a tenant or the owner of the property;
• the name of the executor (or solicitors);
• the date when the keys will be returned; and
• who the landlord is.       

You can contact us:   

• by phone on 020 8600 7777;
• by fax on 020 8753 1578;
• by typetalk on 0800 95 95 98; or
• by email at localtaxation@lbhf.gov.uk       

You can get this information as a leaflet, in large print, or in Braille.