Do I need to pay for empty property?

STBJohnny

Hi,

I have left my house in December 2008 and told my water compnay United Utilites that I was not living there any more and that the house was up for sale and it was unfurnished. They said I didn't need to pay. Aso of the 17th March 2010 there is a bill address to the occupier for amount of £759.53 which includes brought forward balance of £433.16 from previous year.

My question is do I need to worry about this as it is not address to me (eg. The Occupier), also should I contact United Utilities.

My property is not metered, so are these charges automated and will drop off once a new owner lives in the property?

Just a bit concern as I didn't expect a bill for £759.53 when I haven't lived in teh property since Dec 2008.

Somerset

Did you/do you own the property ?

STBJohnny

Yes I still own the property and its still on the market to be sold. No one has lived in the property since Dec 2008.

macman

From their website:

If a property is both empty
and unfurnished, no water
charges are payable. If you
are not going to be living in
your property for some time, you can have your water
supply temporarily disconnected and avoid paying
charges whilst you are away. We make a charge to
reconnect the water supply. We need at least 14 days
notice. You will remain responsible for charges (including
any fixed or standing charges) until the water supply is
disconnected.
However, if the property remains furnished while you are
away, surface water and highway drainage charges are still payable

You will normally be liable for council tax after 6 moths exemption for non-occupation though.

STBJohnny

I see, so it looks like i'm not liable for this charge as the bill is not addressed to me anymore. Also I told them at the time that it was unfurnished.

Still seems strange why the water company still sends out bills to the address for charges when no one is living there and I told them this 15 months ago.

Gothicfairy

You have told them 15 months ago but that does not mean someone else moved in and forgot to tell them > Or that you sold the property and didn't tell them.
All companies send out Occupier letters to prompt any new tenants/ owners to contact them.

Rule of thumb, if a bill is not in your name then it aint for you. Just throw them away as they will keep coming.

STBJohnny

I guess your right Gothicfairy. Companies do seem to send these Occupier letters all the time and like you said, it's not in my name. Will throw this away and not worry about it. Thanks for your help

macman

I would re-inform them that the property remains vacant and unfurnished-then continue to do so once a year until the situation changes.

deanos

Dont ignore it ring them up and explain its still unoccupied

STBJohnny

I have noticed on the letter that it states the following:

"If this property is now occupied/tenanted or has been bought recently, please contact us straight away to provide details.
If this property is still empty you do not need to contact us until the owner or occupier changes."


This means I shouldn't have to contact them as the owner or occupier has not changed.

Do you agree?

deanos

Yeah sounds right but personally i would contact them just in case it causes problems further down the line