What to do if…
you need to handle rent or mortgage payments after someone has died

What to do now

1. Write down the essentials

   • Write the property address, the amount due, the due date, and who is asking for payment.
   • Note whether this is rent, a mortgage payment, condo or HOA dues, insurance, or utilities.
   • Write down whether anyone is living in the home now.
   • Check whether the person who died was the only tenant, borrower, or owner, or whether there are co-tenants, co-borrowers, co-signers, or joint owners.

2. Check whether you might be personally responsible

   • Look for your name on the lease, mortgage note, deed, guaranty, or co-signer paperwork.
   • If you are a spouse, co-signer, joint tenant, or joint owner, be cautious because state law and the documents may matter.
   • If you are unsure, avoid paying from your own money or signing new paperwork until you get legal help or clear written guidance.

3. Find who can speak for the estate

   • Look for a will naming an executor.
   • If there is no will, no available executor, or no court paperwork yet, someone may need to use the state’s probate or small-estate process to become the administrator, personal representative, or otherwise authorized person.
   • You can still notify the landlord or mortgage servicer that the person has died, but you may not be able to approve payments, end a lease, access account details, or remove belongings until your authority is clear.

4. If it is rent, contact the landlord or property manager

   • Say the tenant has died and ask what they need before they can discuss the lease, rent balance, access, and move-out steps.
   • Ask them to put the current balance, due date, late-fee status, and any eviction deadline in writing.
   • Ask whether they will allow a short written pause while death certificate and estate documents are gathered.
   • If the home must be entered or cleared, ask for their access rules first, take photos before moving anything, and keep a simple list of anything removed.

5. If it is a mortgage, contact the mortgage servicer

   • Say the borrower has died and ask for the successor-in-interest or deceased-borrower department.
   • Ask exactly what documents they need to confirm identity and ownership interest, such as a death certificate, will, deed, court order, or other state-specific paperwork.
   • Send the request in writing by secure portal message, email, or letter, and keep a copy.
   • Once someone is confirmed as a successor in interest, the servicer should generally be able to give mortgage information, accept payments, and review foreclosure-avoidance options if needed.

6. Separate payment from personal responsibility

   • Ask whether any payment can be made from estate funds, from an estate account, or by the authorized estate representative.
   • If someone says payment is urgently needed, ask them to confirm in writing how the payment will be recorded and that it does not by itself make you personally responsible for the debt.
   • Keep receipts, confirmation numbers, portal screenshots, and copies of every notice.

7. Protect the home and the paper trail

   • If the property is empty, make sure it is locked, mail is collected, and urgent notices are not missed.
   • Do not throw away envelopes, notices, lease papers, mortgage statements, insurance papers, or court papers.
   • Start a simple log with the date, time, person contacted, phone number or email, and what they said.
   • If you receive an eviction, foreclosure, court, sheriff, trustee, or sale notice, contact legal aid or a local attorney promptly.