If the claimant declaring his or her intention to defer special assessments or real property tax obligations under this chapter ceases to reside permanently on the property for which the declaration to defer is made between the date of filing the declaration and December 15th of that year, the deferral otherwise allowable under this chapter is not allowed on such tax roll. However, this section does not apply where the claimant dies, leaving a spouse, domestic partner, heir, or devisee surviving, who is also eligible for deferral of special assessment and/or property taxes.