What to do if…
you cannot access or secure a deceased person’s home and need essential items

What to do now

1. Check whether anyone is in immediate danger or a serious crime is in progress. Move to a safe place and call 999 if emergency help is needed.

2. Make a short written list of the essential items you need. State why each item is urgent, such as medication, identification, keys, mobility equipment, necessary clothing or an item needed for immediate funeral arrangements.

3. Identify who may currently control access. Depending on the circumstances, this may be a surviving owner or tenant, another lawful occupier, the executor or person dealing with the estate, a landlord, a housing provider or a managing agent.

4. Contact that person and ask for a specific supervised visit. Offer to bring identification, collect only the listed items and make a written record of anything removed.

5. If the deceased rented the home, contact the landlord, letting agent or housing provider. Explain the death, the access problem and the essential items needed, and ask what evidence they require before arranging access.

6. If the home was owned, contact the executor named in the will or whoever is formally dealing with the estate. The relevant authority and terminology differ across England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, so ask what documents are required rather than assuming you can enter.

7. If the authorised person has no usable key, ask the landlord, insurer, managing agent or a reputable locksmith what proof they need before arranging entry or lock work. They may ask for identification, evidence of the death and evidence of authority or entitlement to occupy the home.

8. If a door, window or lock is damaged, take photographs only from a lawful and safe position. Contact the landlord, housing provider, insurer, managing agent or person dealing with the estate and ask them to arrange emergency security work.

9. If medication or medical equipment is inaccessible and missing it may put someone at risk, seek urgent medical advice. In England, Scotland or Wales, use 111 where appropriate; in Northern Ireland, contact your GP, GP out-of-hours or the relevant local urgent-care service. Call 999 if the situation becomes life-threatening.

10. If a pet may be trapped or without basic care, contact the person controlling the home immediately. Where there is an urgent animal welfare concern and no safe authorised access can be arranged, contact the RSPCA, Scottish SPCA or USPCA as appropriate.

11. If another person refuses access or disputes who controls the property, do not force the issue at the door. Keep your request factual and in writing, and seek prompt advice from an appropriate local independent advice service or a solicitor experienced in estates or housing.

12. Report suspected theft, criminal damage or an unlawful break-in online or by calling 101 when it is not an emergency. The police can deal with suspected crime but may not be able to resolve an ordinary dispute about access, ownership or inheritance.