When my Aunt died we had to extend her lease before selling her flat. Freeholder delayed and delayed forcing us to take them to court which cost even more time. Eventually the council slapped us with double council tax because the property was empty.
We finally completed on the sale in June, stopped the Direct Debit and wrote to the council to notify them. Months later they still haven't responded stating they have a three month backlog of post !
This is now delaying us winding up her estate, most of which is going to charities.