When a family member or someone close to you dies, we know it is a very difficult time.
You can register a death using the service Kent County Council.
Once we have received the Tell Us Once notification, we will update all relevant departments. There's no need to contact us separately. Departments that are notified are Council Tax, Benefits, Electoral registration, Housing and Parking.
If a property owner dies, there may be no Council Tax to pay on the property. This depends on how many people still live there.
If a property owner or resident dies, there may be no Council Tax to pay on the property. This depends on how many people still live there.
If more than one person who is counted as an adult for Council Tax is living at the property, Council Tax must be paid in full.
If there is only one adult left living at the property, they can apply for single person discount.
The Class F exemption can also apply for up to a maximum period of 6 months from the date of the grant of probate or letters of administration if it is unoccupied and remains as part of the deceased persons estate.
If someone has passed away, the property they were living in as their home may be exempt from paying Council Tax for a period.
Let us know that someone has passed away
You should provide details of any Personal Representatives. It’s important that you let us know as soon as possible so that the necessary changes can be made. The information you provide will help us determine what exemption, if any, should be given to the property. Although a copy of the will is not legally required, this can assist greatly and reduce the amount of enquiries we may have to make.
Once the form has been submitted you will receive a copy of the completed form via email. The completed form will be sent to the relevant departments to update their records accordingly.
What we do once we know about the death
When a person lived alone in a property
- If they owned their property and that property is now unoccupied, their home can get an exemption for up to six months after probate or letters of administration have been granted. Once we receive the required information we will make any changes to the account and issue a revised bill.
- If the account is in credit you will be able to apply for a refund to be paid to the estate.
- If the property was rented and is now unoccupied, the exemption will last until the date the tenancy ends or for 6 months after probate or letters of administration are granted, whichever comes first.
- If the deceased did not own the property the liability for council tax will transfer to the owner and discounts or exemptions will apply depending on the circumstances of the property and/or owner.
- Further information will be requested to ensure any exemption or discounts are applied
When there were two adults in the property
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If you lived with the person who has died and you are now the only adult in the household, we'll update the account so it is in your name only. We'll send you a new bill confirming the change and the 25% single occupancy discount.
- If any other information is required we will contact you.
What happens to any other property within the borough owned by the deceased
- Depending on the circumstances of the property at the date of death an exemption may or may not apply. If the deceased was a landlord and the property remains tenanted the tenant will remain liable until such time as their tenancy ends when liability will transfer to the estate of the deceased or new owner if applicable.
- If the property was a second home used by the deceased it may be entitled to an exemption and you will be contacted for further information if required.