Reporting a death
Tell Us Once service
When someone dies, there are several organisations that need to be told. We understand this can be a difficult time, so we offer services to help make things easier.
Tell Us Once is a government service that helps you notify multiple organisations at once after someone has died.
When you register a death in Swindon, you can choose for the Swindon Register Office and Ceremony Rooms team to use the Tell Us Once service on your behalf. This means we can inform certain government departments and local services for you.
Council Tax payments
If a property becomes empty because of a death, it may be exempt from Council Tax.
Class F exemption
If a home is unoccupied because someone has died, you can apply for a Class F exemption. This means no Council Tax is due for a set period of time. The exemption applies when:
- The person who was responsible for paying Council Tax has died
- The property has been unoccupied since the date of death
- Please note: It does not need to be unfurnished
The exemption lasts indefinitely until probate or letters of administration are granted. After that, it can continue for up to six months while the property is unoccupied and still owned by the deceased person’s estate.
The exemption ends earlier if:
- the property is sold
- ownership is transferred to a beneficiary or anyone else
- someone moves into the property
If the property later becomes occupied or is sold, you must tell us using our online contact form.
How to complete the form:
- Open the Class F exemption application form using the button above
- In the dropdown list labelled Please select the type of exemption you wish to apply for, choose Class F - Former occupant deceased
- Complete the remaining questions and submit the form
Single Person Discount
If only one person aged 18 or over is now living in the property, you can apply for a 25% Single Person Discount.