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  2. Property and housing
  3. A guide to rates
  4. Your rate bill
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When a ratepayer has died

When a person dies, you might need to look after arrangements for their home. Check the rates bill to see who paid rates on their home. If they paid rates, you might be responsible for telling Land & Property Services (LPS) about the ratepayer's death.

The deceased person's name is on the rate bill

If their name is on the rates bill,  they were responsible for paying rates. You need to tell LPS about the death so they can update the rates account.  You can report a ratepayer's death online.

  • Notification of a ratepayer's death

The deceased person did not live alone

When the ratepayer dies,  the remaining occupant will usually be responsible for paying rates on the property. If rates Housing Benefit and Rate Relief were paid, LPS will reassess the rates due.   

The deceased person lived alone

If the deceased person was a ratepayer and the only occupier, their personal representative is responsible for rates on the property. While the personal representative possesses the property, they can apply for exclusion from empty property rates if the property is:

  • empty as no-one is living there
  • unfurnished
  • not used for storage
  • Rating of empty homes

If the deceased’s name is not on the rates bill

If the deceased person's name isn't on the rates bill for the property, they weren't liable for paying rates. You need to tell NIHE if the ratepayer in the household received rates Housing Benefit and Rate Relief. 

  • the Housing Benefit helpline: 03448 920 902
  • text relay: 18001 03448 920 902
  • email your local Housing Benefit Unit

Find your local Housing Benefit Unit

If you cannot find a recent rates bill, you can contact LPS.

Help with rates

When circumstances change, you should check if any rate reliefs and exclusions are available such as:  

  • Housing Benefit and Rate Relief for people on a low income
  • Rate Rebate for people getting Universal Credit
  • Lone Pensioner Allowance for ratepayers aged 70 or over
  • Disabled Person's Allowance for ratepayers who adapted their property to accommodate their special needs

More useful links

  • Help paying your rates
  • Rate Rebate Scheme for people on Universal Credit
  • Disabled Person's Allowance
  • Lone Pensioner Allowance
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Your rate bill

  • Complaining to Land & Property Services
  • Domestic rate poundages
  • Getting a rates refund
  • How rate bills are calculated
  • Introducing your rate bill
  • Make changes online to a landlord rate account
  • Make changes to your rate account
  • Occupying and leaving a property
  • Properties you pay rates on
  • Rating of empty homes
  • Request a copy of your rate bill
  • Sign up for rates
  • What happens if you can't pay your rates
  • What happens if you don't pay your rates
  • What rates pay for
  • When a ratepayer has died
  • When you think your rates bill is too high

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Call 0800 587 0912
Email 
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If your query is about another benefit, select ‘Other’ from the drop-down menu above.

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If your query is about another topic, select ‘Other’ from the drop-down menu above.

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If you wish to report a problem with a road or street you can do so online in this section.

If you wish to check on a problem or fault you have already reported, contact DfI Roads.

For queries or advice about historical, social or cultural records relating to Northern Ireland, use the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland (PRONI) enquiry service.

For queries or advice about rates, email LPSCustomerTeam@lpsni.gov.uk

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