Landlord has died with no NoK

kkkklinky

I've been living in my rented flat for 6 years, and was paying a letting agent on behalf of the landlord. 4 months ago the letting agent was let go by the landlord and took full control of management(although I never saw them other than email about rent). I have just found out a few days ago that the landlord died 3 months ago, when a police officer found our contact details. Apparently the landlord had no next of kin(all relatives are deceased), no friends and was apparently a hoarder and a bit of a hermit and police were trying to find out who we were. What happens now? Im still in the property and I don't know if I should move or just stay put for now.im assuming the property will become the property of the government.

Yorkie006

Your tenancy does not end when the landlord dies. You can't be kicked out overnight. Whoever becomes responsible for the property in the future will need to give you proper notice (Section 21) if they want you to leave.
If you can no longer pay rent the usual way (because landlord's bank account was closed) so just keep the money somewhere safe and once the ownership is sorted, pay what is owed (you will not be considered in arrears if it's not clear who you should pay the rent to).
If the flat becomes property of the crown, it will most likely be sold. It could be bought by another landlord who may decide to keep you as a tenant. You could even offer to buy it yourself. I'd stay put for the time being, but it won't hurt to consider other options in case you'll asked to leave in the future. You know the saying 'plan for the worst, hope for the best'.

Flugelhorn

this will be one of the cases where they will be hunting for beneficiaries, may take some time - no-one will be able to sell the probate until probate is granted and that will take a while even if they find beneficiaries

housebuyer143

This happened to my friends neighbour, not the tenants but no next of kin and the house sat empty for probably 4 years before the crown took it and gave it to the council to sell. 

km1500

I would definitely resist the temptation to spend the rent but keep it in a savings account somewhere because one day you may well be asked to pay it

tealady

 Put the rent in an instant access savings account with the best rate of interest you can find. 

HampshireH

How were you notified the landlord had passed away? 

Section62

kkkklinky said:

....Apparently the landlord had no next of kin(all relatives are deceased), no friends and was apparently a hoarder and a bit of a hermit and police were trying to find out who we were. What happens now? Im still in the property and I don't know if I should move or just stay put for now.im assuming the property will become the property of the government.

It depends whether the landlord made a will, and if it can be found.  Having no next of kin doesn't mean the estate will be bona vacantia - if there is a will which leaves the property to a named individual or organisation (e.g. a charity) then it will be them it passes to.  And even if there is no will and no close next of kin, it doesn't mean there aren't relatives who would be entitled to inherit.

With the police involved the issue could be the more immediate problem of making funeral arrangements - this is something where authorties will try to find some next of kin or friends to take responsibility and/or be involved.

In terms of the rent money, it will be owed to the estate and whoever has responsibility for probate/administration of the estate will have a legal duty to recover what is owed.  If you have been paying the money directly to the landlord's personal account then I'd suggest the right thing to do would be to continue making those payments until such time as they are returned by the bank because the account has been closed, or that you are asked by someone (with the authority to do so) to make alternative payment arrangements.  Simply stopping the payments might send the wrong message.

silvercar

The issue is not only rent, which could easily be kept in a savings account until requested, its more of maintenance and landlord obligations like gas safety certificates and insurance.

What happens if the boiler breaks?

I would also consider spending £3 to download the title deeds from land registry to see if the property is mortgaged. 

Gentoo365

Another question to consider is who is responsible now for the maintenance of the property and any bills that you are not responsible for, such as buildings insurance.

I don't know the answer but that would be a other thing to find out. 

Keep_pedalling

If he died intestate this is going to take a long time to sort out, even if he left a will and it is found it’s going to take a year plus.

As others have said put the rent aside, and keep your fingers crossed that nothing major goes wrong. If you have to spend any money on the place keep receipts and pay it from the set aside rent money.

If a will turns up you will hopefully have an executor to deal with.