In Kirklees all tenancies end on the Sunday following the day the keys are handed in. If you hand the keys in on a Monday by 5pm the tenancy can end the Sunday before.

Here is a checklist:

• Clear out all furniture and rubbish
• Get the electric and gas meters read
• Turn off the water at the stopcock
• Close the windows and lock the outside doors
• Tell the post office where mail should be sent.

The final week's rent will be due up to the Sunday that the tenancy ends. Any Housing Benefit the tenant was getting stops on the date of their death. Rent which is due (including arrears) will need to be paid out of any money left by the deceased tenant.

Contact the housing office if you want to take over the tenancy after a death. If this is agreed, you will be asked to sign a new tenancy agreement. If you want to claim housing benefit you will need to fill in a form for this too. You will then be the tenant in your own right.

Some people may want or need to move after the death of someone they have been living with. If you take over the tenancy, housing staff can talk to you about the possibility of a transfer. They will also give you advice on other options that may be available.

If there are useable household items to be disposed of, talk to staff at the housing office. They may be able to tell you about furniture aid schemes who will be willing to collect items free of charge.

If the tenant had applied to buy their home you will need to tell the Right to Buy team about their death. They will tell you what will happen to the right to buy in view of the death.