If you registered for the "Tell us once" service when registering the death you do not need to do anything else.
If you have not registered then you can inform us by calling 01295 227000 or email your details to our customer.service@cherwell-dc.gov.uk.
What happens next with regard to council tax?
If the deceased person had a joint liability
- The joint account will be closed as of the date of death
- A new account will be created in the remaining occupier name(s)
- A new Direct Debit instruction will need to be set up, if that is the payment method preferred
- Similarly, if a second home is jointly owned or rented with the deceased person, the other jointly liable person will become responsible for council tax
If the deceased person had a sole liability
- The account will be amended to 'Exors of...'
If you are the executor of the will, and the property is unoccupied, you won't have to pay council tax until probate has been granted. Following a grant of probate, if the property remains unoccupied and has not been sold or transferred, a further 6 months exemption may be granted.
We will grant exemption from council tax for a property indefinitely if it was previously owned or rented by the person who has died. To qualify:
- the property must be unoccupied; and
- has not been sold or transferred
The exemption terminates:
- if the dwelling becomes occupied by another person (except a temporary occupation of less than six weeks);
- on disposal of the property by the personal representative of the deceased, whether to a beneficiary or upon sale;
- by re-letting of a rented property so that the personal representative of the deceased is no longer liable to pay the rent (or licence fee);
- where the property, or the tenancy, has not been disposed of six months after the date of the grant of probate or letters of administration.
The following guides may be found on the relevant websites and provide very helpful information: