Council property time

[Delainie]

Hello, just wondering if anyone knows how long family have to empty a council property after a death at this time.

I'm wondering if any exception is made due to virus and lockdown as cannot do it alone and not allowed a group of people so what to do as council saying they are going to change locks but all property still in flat. Thx in advance

[IlonaM]

Hi Delanie,

I am very sorry for your loss. Councils can be unsympathetic at the best of times, but hopefully they can make adjustments during this time. I am assuming that the council in question is Southwark.

If I were you I'd contact Cambridge House Law Centre. They are still available, but are working remotely. They have a very good housing team and used to receive funding from Southwark to give free advice to Southwark residents:

'We are still offering all of our normal services to new and existing clients during this lockdown. To control the spread of the coronavirus, we are working remotely and helping people by email and over the phone because our offices are closed.

To contact the Law Centre, please call 020 7358 7025 between 10am and 1pm, or 2pm and 4pm, Monday to Friday. You can also email us on [email protected] with your details and we will get back to you. If we are unable to assist you we will direct or signpost you to someone who can.' [https://ch1889.org/law-centre]

If you are dealing with another council, then the CAB or Shelter England both have very good advice lines:

- https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/about-us/contact-us/contact-us/contact-us/

- https://england.shelter.org.uk/get_help

Other options would be to get your local Councillor and/or MP involved, but I would try the legal advice route first.

Best wishes,

Ilona