Probate is the legal right to deal with the property, money and possessions (the "estate") of someone who has died. In England the application ends with one of three documents: a grant of probate if the person left a will; "letters of administration with will annexed" if no executor named in the will can apply; or "letters of administration" if there was no will.
How it works in England
If there's a will, the executor it names applies. If there isn't, the closest living relative applies as administrator: "normally the husband, wife or civil partner", then "any children 18 or over". The grant or letters "usually" arrive "within 12 weeks" of applying. Some estates don't need probate, for example if the person "only had savings"; GOV.UK adds that "Every organisation has its own rules", so ask each bank.
While you wait for the grant
GOV.UK says: "You should not make any financial plans or put property on the market until you've got probate." Storage keeps the options open meanwhile; check with the executor or the estate's solicitor before selling or giving away anything of value.
At Wigwam
Executors can rent a unit from day one, in their own name as executor, before the grant. Administrators get their authority with the letters, so until then rent in your own name, agree with the family who pays, and agree with them before moving the goods. Our pages don't say whether fees paid before the letters can be repaid from the estate, so ask a solicitor; who pays for storage while an estate is sorted out covers the rest.
The minimum stay is two weeks, then written notice, normally 14 days, which runs alongside the minimum (see notice period). Our terms (clause 31) require the goods to stay "adequately insured" for their "Replacement Value", through our contents protection or your own policy. When you book, you pay a refundable deposit of two weeks' rent at your unit's standard weekly rate, refunded within 21 days of your agreement ending (clause 4).
The median (middle value) of the listed prices on our September 2026 price lists is about £78 every four weeks for 25 sq ft and about £143 for 50 sq ft, before any introductory offer. Nothing is added at checkout: the total in your quote is what you pay, and our prices include VAT.
If the person who died already rented a unit with us, ring 0800 2545585 before anyone visits; see what happens to the unit.
We provide the unit; we don't give probate support or legal advice.
Related terms: Grant of probate · Executor · House clearance · Contents protection
Related questions: What happens to a storage unit when the person renting it dies? · Who pays for storage while an estate is being sorted out?