Moving into rented whilst my house is on the market

9wizard9

Hello everyone - I was just hoping for a bit of advice from people who might have moved into rented accomodation whilst still selling a house. I'll be moving in with my OH, and we want to rent somewhere for a while whilst my house is still on the market (hers sold last week), then we'll be looking to buy.

I've looked at my mortgage terms and there doesn't appear to be any restriction requiring me to live there (as long as I don't change the use of the house or let it).

I know my insurance company require me to let them know if the house is going to be unoccupied for more than 60 days - certainly don't want to end up with invalid insurance, so I'll be talking to them about my plans.

Is there anyone else I need to consider? Presumably I still need to pay council tax in both houses, and I'll still need the electric, gas and water. Whilst the house is on the market I'll be going back to it fairly frequently, so picking up post shouldn't be a problem.

Don't know whether there are any legal ramifications I need to consider if I'm suddenly going to have two addresses. I guess the other option is to leave myself off the tenancy agreement for the rental house and just stay there as a guest, but this doesn't seem entirely above board - not sure how likely anyone is to find out or care though...

Sorry for all the stupid questions, not sold a house before - buying as a FTB was much simpler!

BritRael

Why are you renting while you're trying to sell? Are you moving away? If not, why go to the expense of renting? Also, a house sells easier if lived in as opposed to an empty 'shell'.
Good luck living with the OH btw

mlz1413

re the council tax you can both claim single person discount if you are registered at each address, the fact you are paying and registered is the main point. Or if 1 property is going to be empty (ie no furniture) then you can get 6 months empty property relief but it is one off so once used you would have to pay full council tax.

you have pointed out the major issue which is insurance, for the sake of security I would get a couple of lamps and put them on timers so that it appears someone is in. Also would be worth getting your gas and electric to standing charge included as the units you will be using will be much lower it should work out much cheaper than paying a daily fee. (you could put in token meters but they are really expensive).

I'm assuming there are reasons why you and partner cannot live in your house whilst its for sale, but it would be a much more cost effective option whilst you have to pay the mortgage there.

9wizard9

Thanks for the replies guys, really helpful.

The main reason we don't want to live in my house whilst we try to sell it is that it's not really big enough for both of us with all the stuff we need. My OH is an artist, so she'll want a room she can use exclusively for that, and we'd really like some outdoor space (my current house is a terrace with no garden).

I'm planning to leave most of my furniture etc there until it sells, so it should still look lived in for viewings etc.

mlz1413 - good tip on the timer lights - I already have one, but I'd probably get another. Already on elec and gas without standing charges.

Council tax - presumably we can only both claim single-person discount if I stay registered at my current address and my OH registers at the new address (without me on the tenancy agreement)? Are there any issues with me spending a lot of time at a rented property without being on the tenancy? Not sure how long you need to be there before you stop being a guest and start being classed as living there...

mlz1413

Yes is the answer to the council tax.

When you find somewhere to rent I would ask if it causes any problems only being in 1 name and explain that you currently need to be on your own house until it is sold the LA or LL will discuss this with you. It is more likely to cause problems on the credit referencing as your OH is unlikely to be paid monthly.

Hopefully you will also get a buyer whilst your OH's legal work is going on and then it won't be too much of an issue.

9wizard9

mlz1413 wrote: »

When you find somewhere to rent I would ask if it causes any problems only being in 1 name and explain that you currently need to be on your own house until it is sold the LA or LL will discuss this with you. It is more likely to cause problems on the credit referencing as your OH is unlikely to be paid monthly.

Didn't realise that was an option - might try mentioning it at the weekend then and see whether they go for it. She has a salaried job as well, so the monthly pay thing shouldn't be a problem.

Fire_Fox

9wizard9 wrote: »

Council tax - presumably we can only both claim single-person discount if I stay registered at my current address and my OH registers at the new address (without me on the tenancy agreement)? Are there any issues with me spending a lot of time at a rented property without being on the tenancy? Not sure how long you need to be there before you stop being a guest and start being classed as living there...

If you spend more time at the rented place than your 'for sale' home you will need to pay council tax there. Ditto if you store your personal belongings at the new place, or receive post at the new place, or share the bills at the new place. Councils can and do check up on single occupancy claims, it's not wise to fiddle the system.

Some tenancy agreements only allow overnight guests occasionally, and you may negate your contents insurance if your girlfriend supplies you with a house key without you being an official resident. You will also possibly negate your contents insurance at the 'for sale' place if you don't inform them that the house is no longer regularly occupied. Once you have informed one authority of your change of residency, the potential is there for others to find out.

Jowo_2

empty properties attract squatters.

9wizard9

Firefox - that's kind of what I was thinking - don't want to pull the wool over anyone's eyes, want to make sure I do everything above board, but in the most cost effective way.

Jowo - hadn't really thought of that, but I'd probably be back into the property every other day or so anyway (it's near where I work), so I can't imagine squatters would be any more likely than if I was living there full time and went away for a couple of days.

Has anyone done anything similar - if so what did you do?

mlz1413

Re the council tax just ask them, I rang my local council and asked if it was correct to claim single person discount as my fella was also doing this at his place, but we realised we were in one house more than both. They said that was fine as both were furnished and use was still personal, ie not business, we were in the same council area so that may make a difference.