When Someone DiesIt is often traumatic to deal with the many arrangements necessary when a person close to us dies. The sooner the council is informed, the sooner we will be able to deal with the matter with the least possible amount of stress for you.
You can advise us by  downloading and completing the When Someone Dies form* or by contacting a member of staff to send you the relevant form.
Click here to download the Adobe Acrobat Reader.
The personal representatives of the deceased will remain liable for Council Tax if the property is no longer occupied and if the person who has died owned the property or was the tenant (and the tenancy has not been surrendered).
However, you may be able to claim an exemption if the following criteria are met.
- The person living in the property has died and
- The property has not been occupied since the date of death and
- The person who has died owned the property or was the tenant (and the tenancy has not been surrendered)
Once probate (the legal certification of the validity of a will) has been granted or letters of administration made, you will be entitled to an exemption for a further six months if the property stays empty, unless it is sold or passes to someone else in the meantime.
You can complete the Probate and Sale form (pdf 40kb) to inform us when probate is granted, letters of administration made or the property is sold.
If the property is occupied, then in most cases the residents will be responsible for the property. You can use the Moving Home form (pdf 58kb) to advise us when tenants move in or out of the property. It is important that we are informed of any changes, for example if the property is let or probate is granted, so that we can ensure the Council Tax bill is correct.
When you have printed and completed the form please hand it in at our office or send it to us by post at
Council Tax Section
London Borough Of Southwark
P.O. Box 782
Bromley
BR1 3YE
If you require more information or assistance please contact a member of the Council Tax team.
If you are aged 60 years or over and would like help to complete this form, a benefit application or any other forms, please contact a member of the Joint Team by calling 020 7089 6026.
Contact us
By telephone
020 7525 1880 housing and council tax benefit
020 7525 1850 council tax
By post
Council Tax Section
London Borough Of Southwark
P.O. Box 782
Bromley
BR1 3YE
Please indicate which department your query is for.
In person
Bermondsey One Stop Shop
Spa Road
Bermondsey
SE16 3QN
Peckham One Stop Shop
Ground Floor
Peckham Library
122 Peckham Hill Street
SE15 5JR
Walworth One Stop Shop
151 Walworth Road
London
SE17 1RY
Dulwich Area Housing Office
41-43 East Dulwich Road
Dulwich
SE22 9BY
By email
Housing/council tax benefit souhousingbenefitsuk@liberata.com
Council tax Soucounciltaxuk@Liberata.com |