Rental bosses advertised a house to potential tenants while the elderly occupant, who had passed away, was laid out inside awaiting his funeral.

A succession of would-be renters turned up to view the bungalow in Rainham, peering through the windows and letter box unaware that granddad George Murton had died in the home he cherished – and was still there.

Within hours of George’s relatives telling landlords Orbit Housing of their loss, details of the house in Oldfield Close had been put on the internet and bids had been received.

Several turned up and when there was no reply, called on neighbours with similar homes to ask if they could look round.

Mr Murton, 88, had lived in the house he shared with his late wife Ann for 18 years and, after moving from south east London to Medway, regarded it as their haven.

His heartbroken, close-knit family are angry at what they have branded an “intrusion in their privacy” at a time when they were in mourning.

Daughter Linda Preston rang Orbit to let them know her father had died on April 19.

Granddaughter Clare Marlow, 38, of Yewtree Close, Lordswood, said: “We all had a lot on our minds at the time and my mum was just being courteous. We had no idea it would be put on the bidding market within two hours.

“If we had known there would be people turning up we would have paid the extra rent for a couple of weeks.”

Mr and Mrs Murton moved to Rainham because they wanted to be “in the country” according to grandson Jamie Preston.

Most of the family have now relocated to the area and have run a flower stall at Hempstead Valley Shopping Centre for about 20 years.

Mum-of-three Mrs Marlow added “It is absolutely disgusting that people were knocking on the door when my granddad was being laid to rest in his bedroom.”

Stephen Hanley, lettings manager for Orbit South, said: “When a property becomes available, our usual procedure is to advertise it as soon as possible to allow us to promptly re-let homes to customers with a housing need.

“Our adverts do not give details of specific addresses, however once a property is advertised it is not uncommon for potential applicants to visit the location and try to establish which property will shortly be coming available.

“On this occasion, we advertised the property, but unfortunately on the same day we were contacted to notify us that the family was holding a wake.

“Once we became aware of the situation we contacted Mr Murton’s family to offer our apologies.

“We are extremely sorry for the upset caused and are reviewing our procedures as a result of their experience.”