Does this threshold apply to the whole estate?

No. It applies only to the balance held with NatWest at the date of death, not to the estate as a whole.

Bereavement · Bank thresholds

Coventry Building Society: bereavement contact and probate limit

Last reviewed 29 September 2026

Coventry Building Society publishes its own line: below £50,000 it closes a deceased customer’s accounts against its forms, and from £50,000 it wants to see a grant. Here is how to reach the bereavement team, what each tier requires, and what it can pay before probate.

Bereavement line

0800 587 4565

Grant needed from

£50,000

Checked

29 September 2026

How to tell Coventry Building Society about a death

Call the Coventry Building Society bereavement team on 0800 587 4565 (Monday to Friday 8am–7pm, Saturday 9am–2pm). You can also report the death through the society’s online bereavement form or the NIVO app, where documents can be uploaded. Branch staff can start the process in person.

By post: Oakfield House, PO Box 600, Coventry CV3 9YR.

Once notified, Coventry freezes accounts held in the deceased’s sole name and tells you which documents it needs. Joint accounts pass to the surviving holder.

How much Coventry Building Society releases without probate

Coventry Building Society publishes its threshold: a grant of representation is needed once the deceased’s sole balances with the society reach £50,000. The figure applies to the total held with Coventry, not to the estate as a whole.

Balance held	What Coventry asks for
Under £50,000	Death certificate (original or certified), the account closure form after bereavement, and ID for any personal representative who is not a member.
£50,000 or more	A court-sealed or certified copy of the grant of representation, plus the closure form.

What Coventry can pay before the grant

Before a grant, Coventry can pay funeral and related costs direct to the supplier against an invoice, make out cheques for probate fees to HMCTS, and pay inheritance tax from an IHT423 (or IHT421). This is worth using if the estate needs cash for the funeral or to clear inheritance tax before probate can be issued.

The society can still ask for a grant

Coventry reserves the right to ask for a grant whatever the balance, and if a grant has been obtained for another part of the estate it will want to see that too.

Questions

What is the Coventry Building Society bereavement phone number?+

0800 587 4565, Monday to Friday 8am–7pm, Saturday 9am–2pm.

How much can Coventry Building Society release without probate?+

Up to £50,000 of sole balances, against its own forms. From £50,000 it needs a grant of representation.

Is Coventry Building Society part of the Co-operative Bank now?+

Coventry acquired the Co-operative Bank, but for now treat them as separate institutions and check each bereavement process. See our Co-op Bank page.

Does the Coventry limit apply to the whole estate?+

No. It applies only to what was held with Coventry Building Society at the date of death. Property in the deceased’s sole name usually needs a grant regardless.

Official sources

Coventry Building Society — bereavement support GOV.UK — Applying for probate GOV.UK — Tell Us Once

Sources. Coventry Building Society bereavement page, checked 29 September 2026: threshold, forms, phone line and hours as published by the society. Figures change; confirm with the bereavement team before relying on them.