A relative of mine has died and the family only found out as his sister sent a letter to where he was living (he was old and had no phone) addressed to the residents/landlord asking of his whereabouts. One of the other tenants called his sister and advised he had died 6 months ago and he thinks the landlord had arranged his funeral. He said he would ask the landlord to ring his sister but the landlord hasn’t done so.
We think the landlord has probably taken any personal possessions he has of value had including any cash which we know he kept some.
We don’t understand why he or the police would not have tried to find the family, he had known my relative for decades.
Does the landlord have any obligations in these circumstances? Or should we contact the local police to find out more?
If it was an unexpected death at home, the police would have been involved.
If expected or he died in hospital, the police would not have been involved unless there were suspicious circumstances.
I doubt the Landlord would have been able to arrange the funeral. I suspect council would have been involved if no known relatives.
If someone dies in the property the tenancy does not end.
The landlord would be required to sever the tenancy through notice eg s21 or s8.
They may or may not have gone to court .
The possessions would be considered abandoned as per the contract terms after notice period .
Unfortunately if you don’t know what possessions were there making a claim would be difficult .
Contact the local council where he loved … immediately
I have contacted the police, they’ve provided the contact at the council who arranged the funeral and provided the landlords details. All sorted, thanks for the responses.