utilities for house to rent

Dan29

The existing provider might have a zero standing charge tariffs though?

BrightonLad

I have been in this situation.

The energy supplier was with whilst the property was empty has a "no standing charge" tarriff. this means you pay more per unit, but if you are not using elec or gas (or very little of it whilst the place is empty) this would probably be the cheapest.

Not sure what the situation would be if you have a water meter, but i know united utilities without a water meter dont charge at all if the property is empty. Not sure ono other suppliers.

Council tax if the property is empty AND UNFURNISHED you can have up to 6 months relief.

Phone - if you havent ordered a line from bt then they cant charge you.

silvercar

Thanks brightonland.

I'll speak to the sellers tomorrow and make sure they cancel the phone line.

We are in a compulsary metering area so the water board will install a meter soon after completion.

clutton_2

the part of my "landladying" which i hate the most is dealing with utilities.

If i were you, I would keep the current ones, register as the person responsibility, give the utiitity the current meter readings, then when your tenant moves in, read the meters with your tenant, get the tenants signatures that these are the readings, and contact the utilities so that you get the final bill, (if its pence, ask them to write it off, they nearly always will), and the tenants start off with the correct meter reading in their name. Most utilities assume landlords tell the truth and tenants tell lies !! (please don't shoot the messenger here !!) IF tenants want to change their supplier its up to them. i have Never Ever had a smooth change of supplier !!! not one utility seems capable of copying one meter reading and transferring it accurately to somewhere else !! grrrrrrr there ends my moan of the week !!!!!!!

Dan29

BrightonLad wrote:

Council tax if the property is empty AND UNFURNISHED you can have up to 6 months relief.

This is not necessarily correct. Depending on the council, it applies to properties which are not furnished and need structural alteration or major repair work to make them suitable to live in - see http://www.lbhf.gov.uk/Directory/Advice_and_Benefits/Council_tax/Exemptions/35774_Council_Tax_Exemptions.asp

silvercar

Dan29 wrote:

This is not necessarily correct. Depending on the council, it applies to properties which are not furnished and need structural alteration or major repair work to make them suitable to live in - see http://www.lbhf.gov.uk/Directory/Advice_and_Benefits/Council_tax/Exemptions/35774_Council_Tax_Exemptions.asp

From your link:

"Unoccupied properties which:

are not furnished, are exempt for up to six months (after that, full charge);"

This is the first item in the list, your quote was the last item, which would provide exemption for longer than 6 months.

Dan29

Yes that's a good point, and completely contradicts what they told me. I'll give them a call.

As has been pointed out above though, different councils have different policies.

musey

clutton wrote:

the part of my "landladying" which i hate the most is dealing with utilities.

If i were you, I would keep the current ones, register as the person responsibility, give the utiitity the current meter readings, then when your tenant moves in, read the meters with your tenant, get the tenants signatures that these are the readings, and contact the utilities so that you get the final bill, (if its pence, ask them to write it off, they nearly always will), and the tenants start off with the correct meter reading in their name. Most utilities assume landlords tell the truth and tenants tell lies !! (please don't shoot the messenger here !!) IF tenants want to change their supplier its up to them. i have Never Ever had a smooth change of supplier !!! not one utility seems capable of copying one meter reading and transferring it accurately to somewhere else !! grrrrrrr there ends my moan of the week !!!!!!!

Ditto for me too!!!!