Farra is a death administration assistant for UK families. Get step-by-step guidance for registering a death, applying for probate, notifying banks, and managing bereavement admin. From essential documents to practical checklists, Farra simplifies estate paperwork and funeral-related tasks so you can focus on what matters.
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Contact utilities (electricity, gas, water, internet, mobile, TV licensing) within 2–4 weeks with the account number, a certified copy of the death certificate, and your details as executor or next of kin. They will close accounts or transfer them to the surviving occupant. Cancel direct debits only after final bills are settled. You can use Tell Us Once to notify government departments, but private utility providers must be contacted separately.
When someone dies, their utility accounts need to be transferred, closed, or continued. Most UK utility companies have dedicated bereavement teams that make this process easier, but you'll need to contact each one individually. According to Citizens Advice, notifying utilities promptly prevents continued billing and ensures the property remains properly serviced.
This guide explains how to handle each type of utility service, what documents you'll need, and how to avoid common problems with final bills and refunds.
Before contacting utility companies, gather these documents to make the process smoother:
Tip: Create a utilities folder
Keep copies of all utility correspondence in one place. You'll need these records for probate and to prove the accounts were properly closed.
Most major UK utility providers have dedicated bereavement teams. Here are the main companies and how to reach them:
Phone: 0800 027 0072 (Mon-Fri 8am-5pm)
Your energy supplier is regulated by Ofgem, which sets standards for bereavement support.
Phone: 0345 672 3723
Covers North West England
Phone: 0800 783 4444
Covers Midlands and mid-Wales
Water companies are regulated by Ofwat. Find your water company on their website if not listed above.
Phone: 0800 800 150 (Bereavement team)
Open 8am-9pm every day
Phone: 0345 454 1111
Ask for the bereavement team
Phone: 0333 759 5173
Dedicated bereavement line
Telecoms providers are regulated by Ofcom. Most providers will waive early termination fees in bereavement cases.
Phone: 0300 790 6117
If the deceased lived alone, cancel the license for a refund. If someone else lives there, transfer it to their name.
Website: tvlicensing.co.uk/death-enquiry
Contact customer service and ask for the bereavement team. Most will waive remaining contract fees. You may be able to keep the phone number (porting) if family wants it.
Typical final energy bill
Average UK household: £150-250 for gas and electricity combined. If the account was in credit (via direct debit overpayments), you may receive a refund of £50-200.
Check recent bills (physical or email), bank statements for direct debit references, online account portals if you have login details, or call the company with the property address—they can look it up.
Most companies will speak to next of kin or executors without probate initially. If they insist on probate, ask to speak to their bereavement team or complaints department. Explain you're informing them of the death and need to prevent further billing. Ofgem, Ofwat, and Ofcom require reasonable support for bereaved customers.
This is common—billing systems can take 2-3 months to update. Keep copies of your death notification (letter or email confirmation). Don't pay new bills until the final bill is confirmed. Contact the bereavement team again if bills continue beyond 8 weeks.
Don't cancel direct debits immediately—wait for final bills. If payments continue after final bills are settled, contact your bank's direct debit team to cancel. You can claim refunds for unauthorized payments under the Direct Debit Guarantee.
Utility refunds should arrive within 4-8 weeks. If delayed, chase the company in writing. They may require bank details for the estate or proof of authority (probate/letters of administration). Large refunds (over £500) often require formal probate documents.
If you disagree with the final bill, request a breakdown. Check meter readings match what you submitted. For energy, contact Citizens Advice energy team for free help. For other utilities, use the company's formal complaints process.
Understanding typical costs helps you budget for probate and spot errors:
Total estimated: £300-£1,000 depending on property size and contract situations
Paying final bills
Final bills are paid from the estate, not from your personal funds. According to GOV.UK guidance, utility bills are estate debts that must be paid before distributing to beneficiaries.
If the estate has insufficient funds, utilities are paid pro-rata with other creditors. Seek legal advice if the estate is insolvent.
If vulnerable people remain in the property after the death (elderly, disabled, chronically ill), they may qualify for extra support:
Energy and water companies maintain registers of vulnerable customers who get:
Contact your supplier to register. Free and takes 5 minutes. More info at Ofgem Priority Services.
If someone is struggling to pay utility bills after the death, they may qualify for:
Contact Citizens Advice for free advice on utility debt.
Most companies will send a final bill to the estate within 4-8 weeks. Keep these for probate. They're estate debts that must be paid before distributing to beneficiaries.
Any credit balances (from direct debit overpayments) will be refunded to the estate. Large refunds may require probate documents. Typical refunds: £50-200 for energy, £20-80 for TV license.
Keep utilities running until: (1) final bills arrive, (2) refunds are received, (3) property is sold or fully cleared. Empty properties still need water and minimal heating to prevent damage.
Contact utilities within 2-4 weeks of registering the death. For empty properties, notify gas and electricity immediately to reduce rates. For occupied properties, notify within 2-4 weeks to transfer accounts and prevent continued billing in the deceased's name. Council tax should be notified within 1 week via Tell Us Once or directly.
You need: death certificate (photocopy accepted), account numbers from recent bills, proof of your authority to act (executor/next of kin), final meter readings for gas and electricity, and bank details for refunds. Most companies will accept notification without probate initially, especially from next of kin or named executors.
Yes, if the utility account was in credit (common with direct debit overpayments), you'll get a refund paid to the estate. Typical refunds: £50-200 for energy, £20-80 for TV license. Large refunds over £500 may require formal probate documents. Refunds usually arrive 4-8 weeks after notification.
No, wait until final bills arrive and are paid (typically 4-8 weeks). Cancelling direct debits too early can cause final bills to go unpaid, leading to debt collection and complicating probate. Cancel direct debits only after: (1) all final bills received, (2) final bills paid, (3) any refunds received.
The executor becomes responsible for utility bills on empty properties. Contact suppliers immediately for reduced rates: energy companies offer vacant property rates (typically 50% discount), water must stay connected (but billed at single occupancy rate), and council tax may be reduced or exempt depending on local council rules (check with your council).
The deceased's estate is responsible for utility bills up to and including the final bill. If someone continues living in the property, bills from the transfer date forward are their responsibility. Executors are personally liable only if they distribute the estate before paying utility bills—always settle utility debts before distributing to beneficiaries.
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Complete guide to notifying DWP (Department for Work and Pensions) of a death in the UK. Learn how to stop benefits, handle overpayments, claim Bereavement Support Payment, Tell Us Once service, and all DWP requirements for 2026.
Complete UK death notification process guide 2026. Learn who to notify when someone dies, priority order, Tell Us Once service, timelines for banks, government, utilities, and all 40+ organisations.
A clear, prioritised list of organisations and services you may need to contact after a death.
How to use the government's Tell Us Once service to notify multiple departments with a single notification.
Free services that help notify companies about a death, saving you time and reducing stress.
Complete guide to notifying DVLA of a death in the UK. Learn how to return the driving licence, what to do with the vehicle (SORN, sell, transfer), cancel insurance, handle personalised plates, and all DVLA requirements for 2026.
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