EnglandThis guide will help you gather all the information you'll need ahead of meeting with a solicitor to write your will. You can also download this guide as an editable checklist (docx, 57 KB).
Once you're ready, you can use our free will writing service, which puts you in touch with trusted local solicitors who can help you write your will for free.
If you're planning to leave your home in your will, we recommend that you consider the following questions:
what would you like to happen to the contents of your home?
how do you want to settle any debts secured against your home, such as a mortgage?
could anyone be affected by this gift in your will?
For example, if you have tenants or anyone living in your home, or if your home is jointly owned.
See our key considerations for guidance on these points, or you may want to speak to your solicitor.
If you're writing a will for the first time: we recommend that you complete the information below ahead of your appointment with a solicitor.
If you have an existing will: leaving your home as a gift in your will is a major change, so it's best to write a new will. We recommend checking the information below in your current will to help you identify any other changes needed.
Executors are the people responsible for carrying out the instructions in your will. You might include family, friends or a solicitor. You can have up to four executors.
Make a list of your possessions and financial assets, and their approximate current value. This will give you an idea of what your estate is worth. Your list might include:
Possessions:
property
furniture
other home contents
car
valuable items (such as jewellery, art or antiques)
Financial assets:
money in current or savings accounts
stocks, shares, bonds
insurance policies
pension plan
any debts owed to you
Add up the total of any debts you have. This might include your:
mortgage
loans
overdraft
credit card debts
hire purchases
Consider any questions you might want to discuss with your solicitor if you're planning to leave your home to Shelter.
If you would like to leave your home in your will to Shelter, you can provide your solicitor with this suggested wording:
'I give to Shelter, the National Campaign for Homeless People Ltd (“Shelter”) of 88 Old Street, London, EC1V 9HU, registered charity number 263710 (England and Wales) the net sale proceeds of my property: [insert address and postcode] (“my property”) free of tax for its general charitable purposes and I declare that the receipt of the Finance Director or other proper officer at Shelter for the time being shall be a sufficient discharge to my executor(s). In the event that my property should have been sold in my lifetime (or a sale agreed but not completed prior to the date of my death), then I give a sum representing the net sale proceeds of my property to Shelter in lieu of the above gift.'
Download this guide as an editable checklist to help you prepare to write your will:
If you decide in future that you no longer wish to leave your home to Shelter, you can always update your will to reflect this change.
If you have any questions about leaving your home in your will to Shelter, we're here to help. Please contact our Gifts in Wills team on 0344 515 1617 or at legacies@shelter.org.uk