Paying bills on an empty house. Advice?

Bexm

Hi!

Looking for a bit of advice.. we are selling our house as we have to move, but it is likely our house won't sell before we move so the house may be empty for a bit.
Can we cancel all the bills, ie electric, water and council tax?
or do we have to keep then going in case there is any usage?
I remember reading something about not having to pay bills on an empty house but I'm not sure?

Bex

robchap_2

elec gas and water i think you can get away with but ctax they only give you 6 months to sell or you paythats what i was told anyway

stewie_griffin

If you make sure your turn all your utilities off at the mains and check with your supplier(s) to see if you are on a no standing charge tariff then there shouldn't be any bills to pay when the house is sold. Also remember to contact your suppliers when it is sold so that your accounts can be closed or you might start being billed for the new owners usage.

NEH

We've just found out through help on here that you can claim 6 months exemption from an unfurnished property and if it hasn't sold after that you get 50% discount and after for another 6 months it's a long term rate of 10% discount....

We've kept out electricity going as the Solicitors may need to put lights on when they do viewings and the like...

Premier_2

For gas & electric, as long as you are on a no standing charge tariff, you'll only pay for what is consumed (which should be very little unless if remains empty til next winter)

Rules regarding water vary by region. e.g. I know one region who says that you don't pay any water rates on an unoccupied property yet another that still wants their full whack.

Council tax also can vary by area. All areas will exempt an unfurnished property for 6 months. After that you pay full whack.
Otherwise if it's furnished, you might get a 50% reduction as no one is eligible for CT, or, depending on area, they may only give a 10% reduction as its classed as an unoccupied property (I think they can give any discount from 50% to 10% but all areas I know that don't give 50% just give the minimum 10%)

You can't close the accounts on any of these until the property is sold as you are still responsible for any bills.

Gloomendoom

When I was in the same situation, water was charged at zero as long as the house was unfurnished.