Lease transfer on death
The death of a loved one is hard, and practical questions about housing follow. We summarise the conditions under which a flat lease passes to a close person and what you’ll need to document.
On a tenant’s death the flat lease does not always end – under certain conditions it passes to a close person who lived in the flat with the tenant in a shared household. The rules are set by the Civil Code.
General explanation
This page is informational. The specific assessment always depends on the circumstances and the lease – so get in touch and we’ll go through it together.
When the lease passes
In simple terms, the following usually has to be met:
- It is a close person (e.g. partner, child, parent, sibling)
- The person lived with the tenant in a shared household at the date of death
- The person has no flat of their own
- Further conditions under the Civil Code and the lease are met
For a longer duration of the transfer, special rules may apply to persons who are not the tenant’s direct-line relatives. We’re happy to help assess your specific situation.
What to do
Let us know
Inform us of the tenant’s death as soon as possible. We’ll agree the next steps and the documents needed.
Provide the necessary documents
We’ll usually need the death certificate and proof of the shared household and the close-person relationship. We’ll advise exactly what.
Updating the lease and records
Where the conditions are met, we’ll update the records and continue the existing lease, or prepare the necessary documents.
Frequently asked questions
Does a flat lease pass automatically on the tenant’s death?
Who can the lease pass to?
What will I have to document?
What if the conditions for transfer aren’t met?
Dealing with a lease transfer?
Get in touch. We’ll help sensitively with the documentation and next steps.
Contact the manager