We’re so sorry for your loss. Nothing needs to happen straight away: the storage carries on just as it was, and the belongings stay safely in the unit until you’re ready to decide what to do.
When you feel able to, call us on 0800 2545585 and we’ll take it step by step with you.
What happens to the unit
The storage agreement doesn’t end on its own, so the unit stays in place and payments continue every four weeks until someone gives us notice. The belongings inside become part of the person’s estate, and the executor (or administrator, if there’s no will) decides what happens to them.
There’s no rush to clear anything. You can keep the unit while the estate is sorted out, or clear it once you’re ready, and we’ll help you work out what suits you.
Keeping payments on track
If payments were taken from their own card or bank account, those may stop once the bank knows about the death. Call us before the next payment is due and we’ll agree how it’s paid. Anyone can pay on the account’s behalf, and an executor can usually be repaid from the estate later: our page on who pays while an estate is sorted out explains how. It’s also worth checking with us that the contents cover carries on.
Getting into the unit
To keep the belongings safe for the estate, before we give anyone access or change the agreement we’ll usually ask to see the death certificate and the grant of probate (or letters of administration). If the estate won’t need probate, or there’s something personal you need sooner, such as family photographs, call us and we’ll talk you through it.
If you already had shared access to their unit, please give us a ring before you visit, so we can make sure everything is handled properly for the estate.
When you’re ready to close it
Email us at hello@wigwamstorage.co.uk with an end date. The notice period is normally 14 days, you only pay up to that date, and we refund any unused days once the unit is empty. If they joined us some time ago and paid a deposit at the start, it’s refunded when the storage ends, less anything owed.
If you need somewhere for the contents of their home in the meantime, an executor can rent a unit in their own name straight away. You can get a price online.
You don’t have to do this alone
Call us on 0800 2545585 whenever you’re ready. If you’d like to talk to someone about how you’re feeling, Cruse Bereavement Support has a free helpline on 0808 808 1677.
Related questions
- Who pays for storage while an estate is being sorted out?
- Should I put things into storage before a house clearance?
- What should I keep when clearing a parent’s home?
Further reading
- GOV.UK: What to do when someone dies
- GOV.UK: Applying for probate