Preparing to leave rental

caeler

I have handed in my notice to leave my rental on 22 January, however I will be moving out on 30 December. My LL and LA know this and I have actually been allowing viewings for the last few weeks (no success yet unfortunately).

I did ask a question recently about who would be responsible for paying council tax between 30 December to 22 January which I understand to be myself unless a new tenant moves in.
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/2904384

So you probably knew this question would be coming......!

Am I responsible for the bills until 22 January too? What I mean is I intend to take meter readings on 30 December and I am concerned I am going to be left paying the bills if LL/LA spent time in the property for viewings, inspections, etc. Also with the weather turning colder the heating should really be left on low for a few hours a day to prevent burst pipes, etc.

How best should I handle this situation?

Hump

You would be paying for the utilities until the day you hand the keys back (having taken and/or agreed the meter readings with the LA/LL on that date) unless your contract says something different.

Wings

You should take the metre readings and carry out an inventory when you move out, with LL expecting rental payment and service charges up to the end of the AST. With the present cold snap, tenants whilst away from property are still responsible for pipes freezing etc., so with leaving prior to the end of the AST, you need come to an understanding that your responsibilty for the same will be removed.

CIS

I did ask a question recently about who would be responsible for paying council tax between 30 December to 22 January which I understand to be myself unless a new tenant moves in.

You will be liable for the council tax until either 21 Jan 2011 or until the day before a new tenant moves in.

If the property is unfurnished then an exemption can be claimed for this period (Class C) otherwise you will be charged the furnished property rate (the actual rate depends on each local authority).

DVardysShadow

You can surrender the tenancy early - ie hand in the keys - and get the Agent or LL to sign that the tenancy is surrendered. This leaves them free to rent out immediately - and if you don't demand any rent back, I think they will mostly oblige. With the tenancy surrendered, and a signature, you can just go to the council and take your name off the Council Tax. They were happy enough to do this when Mrs Shadow and I surrendered a tenancy early.

G_M

You are responsible for all bills (rent, utilities, council tax) until the tenancy ends (Jan 22) unless you agree something different witht the LL or their agent. If you do agree something, get it in writing.
If the property is empty from Dec to Jan 22, heating should be left on low (to avoid freezing/burst pipes and keep insurance valid), and you should expect to pay this cost too.

clutton_2

CIS i normally learn a lot from you, but i am not sure this is correct when you say

""You will be liable for the council tax until either 21 Jan 2011 or until the day before a new tenant moves in.""

if the tenancy ends on 22 January, (and irrespective of when the tenant actually moves out,) then the tenant's liability for CT ends on the 22nd January and it then becomes the liability of the owner/landord from the 23rd January ...... surely CT liability can only be placed on the head of a new tenant when a new AST is signed ?

G_M

clutton wrote: »

CIS i normally learn a lot from you, but i am not sure this is correct when you say

""You will be liable for the council tax until either 21 Jan 2011 or until the day before a new tenant moves in.""

if the tenancy ends on 22 January, (and irrespective of when the tenant actually moves out,) then the tenant's liability for CT ends on the 22nd January and it then becomes the liability of the owner/landord from the 23rd January ...... surely CT liability can only be placed on the head of a new tenant when a new AST is signed ?

I think the point is that if a new tenant moves in before 21st Jan, the the current tenant's council tax liability ends at that point.
If no new tenant moves in, then liability ends on 21st Jan.

caeler

I tried to call LA today to discuss possibility of surrendering tenancy but nobody there (snow disruption!). I did speak to the council and they confirmed that I'd be responsible for ctax up to and including 22 January, but from 31 December they'd grant me an unfurnished/unoccupied discount of 100%. I had to give my landlords details.

Meatballs

You should get all the pipes drained down if you are leaving the property for an extended period over this very cold period anyway..

If you are draining down the pipes are there any reasons to leave heating on in an unfurnished property?

Is there anything on LL's insurance about that?

If they do get someone in before the 22nd you should get a refund in rent from that date.

Question marks are genuine questions!

G_M

Meatballs wrote: »

You should get all the pipes drained down if you are leaving the property for an extended period over this very cold period anyway..

If you are draining down the pipes are there any reasons to leave heating on in an unfurnished property?

Is there anything on LL's insurance about that?

If they do get someone in before the 22nd you should get a refund in rent from that date.

Question marks are genuine questions!

LL insurance usually has limits on how long a property can be unoccupied, and a requirement for heating during winter when unoccupied. It usually does NOT specify draining down - however you'd have to read the relevant policy.

I would NOT advise a tenant to drain down. They should speak to LL and either he or his plumber should do it.

If it IS drained down, you could only leave heating on if you had electric (ie night storage) heating. Leaving the central heating running with the system dry will blow up the boiler (one of the reasons tenants should not drain down!!!!)