Social tenants FAQs

Landlord permission must be submitted in writing, however you can discuss your ideas with your housing officer in the first instance. You can email requests to estatemanagement@sholland.gov.uk.

You can pay rent online, by phone, direct debit, standing order or through the AllPay service. Please visit our ways to pay rent webpage for more information.

Please contact us to speak to a housing officer as soon as possible. We can help get your finances back on track.

You rent payment reference, also known as your rent account, is a seven digit number that appears on rent letters and on your tenancy agreement. If you are still unsure, please contact us. 

Please contact us if you are concerned about anti-social behaviour in your area. If you are having issues with neighbours, this may not be anti-social behaviour, see more information about neighbour disputes.  

Secure tenants can choose to swap homes with someone through mutual exchange, or if you have a housing need you may be able to join our housing register. Please note that you won't be able to swap homes or join the housing register if you have rent arrears or tenancy breaches.

We carry out property modernisation works for electrical and central heating installations, as well as kitchen and bathroom upgrades which are generally carried out every 25 years. You may call us on 01775 761161 or email info@sholland.gov.uk to find out when an upgrade is due to your home.

Our workmen usually leave a guide on how to use the heating in all empty properties, but if you didn't receive one or want more information please contact us on 01775 761161.

You may find the following information and support services useful in relation to housing, staying safe at home, financial advice and benefits. 

Report repairs outside of office hours by calling 01522 782235.

You can find fire safety in flats advice on our dedicated web page.

What to do if a council tenant dies

Bereavement can be traumatic and difficult. Along with coming to terms with the loss of a loved one, there are practical matters to consider. What you need to do when a council tenant dies depends on whether the tenant shared their home.

Letting us know somebody has passed away

If you're the next of kin and wish to inform us of the passing of a tenant, here's how to do it.

Let us know if the tenant has passed away by:

• Providing a death certificate or complete a Tell us Once notification. 
• Email: estatemanagement@sholland.gov.uk
• Phone: 01775 761161

Please include your full name and contact details, and the full name and address of the tenant.

Let us know if the tenant has died and you wish to remain in the property (make a Succession request) by contacting us on:

• Email: estatemanagement@sholland.gov.uk
• Phone: 01775 761161

Please note, you'll need do this even if you were a joint tenant at the property.

All requests to succeed a tenancy will be considered in line with the relevant legislation. If you're considering applying to succeed a tenancy but are not sure if you'll be able to, there's some helpful guidance from Shelter (below).

Council tenancy succession - Shelter England

After you've given notice

If there is a will the executor(s) need to give us notice as only they can legally execute the wishes of the deceased. If there are multiple executors, then they will all be required to sign the notice. South Holland District council will contact you to inform you of the end date of your tenancy, make arrangements to return the keys for the property to us, and to arrange an end of tenancy visit with an allocated member of our housing management team.

If there is no will or executor in place, then by law, South Holland District Council must issue a 'Notice to Quit' (NTQ) on the property and the public trustee to formally end the tenancy.

If there is no will, the next of kin can apply for letters of administration, which allow them to deal with the estate in the same way as an executor. Letters of administration are normally granted to someone who is entitled to inherit under intestacy, if you do so do let us know.

From the receipt of notice there is a four-week liability, where the state of the deceased is liable up until the closure of the tenancy.

The tenancy will end 28 days after the Notice to Quit is served. This will be hand delivered to the property and addressed to the 'personal representative' of the deceased tenant. This will end the tenancy four weeks after it is issued. Keys need to be return to the allocated officer by 12:30pm on the Monday following the tenancy end date, we will notify you of this.

Clearing the property

Where the tenant's representative gives notice to end the tenancy, they also agree to clear the property of contents before the keys are handed in. Any contents left in the property after the tenancy has ended become the property of SHDC and we have the right to dispose of such items and recharge the outgoing tenant or their estate. Carpets are fine to leave in the property.

Ifthere is no will, it is for us to end the tenancy and serve a copy on the Public Trustee, clearing ofthe property the landlord must follow the legal procedures outlined in the Torts (Interference with Goods) Act 1977. We will work with the family where possible, however there will be occasions where clearance will need to be completed by professionals, we will keep you inform if such decisions need to be made.

Bereavement Support

Grief affects everyone differently, so if you're having a hard time processing the passing of a friend or loved one, there are a few support services that can help you.

Support for families

Here are a few nationwide charities you can reach out to for counselling and advice:

• Cruse Bereavement Support will support you whatever stage of the grieving process you're in, and for however long you've been grieving.
• The Compassionate Friends helps bereaved parents, siblings and grandparents that have lost a child from the age of one.
• Sands also offers support to bereaved families at the death of a child.
• Sudden - helps anyone who has lost a loved one unexpectedly.
• Widowed and Young supports those under the age of 50 who have lost their partner or spouse.
• Sue Ryder provides support for anyone who is facing the death of or struggling to cope with the loss of a loved one.

Mind also has a useful contacts you could go for support with suggestions on how you can help yourself and others through grief.

All these services are free via the NHS or a bereavement charity. If you're looking for support near you, speak to your GP to be referred to a local service.

Cruse Bereavement Support Leaflet (PDF, 4 MB)

Support for children and young people

There are several charities that can help a child through the grieving process, giving them opportunities to communicate how they're feeling through words, play, art, music or drama.

They include:

• Child Bereavement UK: support for grieving children and also the adults that are helping them through their time of loss.
• Hope Again offers a safe place for grieving children and young people to connect and feel less alone.
• Take Our Hand: bereavement care packages, therapy services and activities to young people between the ages of 16-25.