Buy house but still have rented.

Lance

I am in rented accommodation. I have been here 3 years and started a new 6 month tenancy agreement on 19th August. My 22 year old son is registered for council tax here but is mostly at his mums..... I pay all the council tax. I want to buy but timing is difficult trying to find the right place / time to complete etc to fit with the end of my tenancy.

I may have found a place and if so will make an offer Saturday. The place is 2 miles from me and 10 minutes walk from ex's where son lives mostly. I will end up with a house I own and rented accomodation for at least 3.5 months which I can afford for right house.

Anyway, getting to the point: What would my position be insurance wise on the house? Can I 'reside' at 2 places? What about council tax on 2 properties? Would my son need to 'live' in the rented whilst I register in the new house which would increase total tax a lot. We can move between the houses easily staying a night in one or the other.

G_M

Is your son on the tenancy agreement? (If not, why is he the registered council tax payer?).

Most tenancies have a clause requiring the property not to be left unoccupied for more than (30? 45?) days. This is because the landlords building insurance will have a similar requirement (because empty properties are more at risk of burglary, damage etc).

So either you or your son would need to spend a night or two there every month or so.

If you are planning to buy, why did you sign a new 6 month contract? You could have simply moved to a monthly periodic contract, allowing you more flexibility to leave (don't tell me the landlord/agent insisted - he can't).

There is no problem having insurance on two properties - as long as you comply with the conditions of each (eg as above not to leave them unoccupied for more than......).

Same with council tax - you will have to pay CT on each. The exception, I believe, is if one of them is left empty/unfurnished (but then you have the insurance issue and would need specialist insurance.)

evoke

Agreed. Just spend a couple of days at either property per week to comply with insurance requirements. It's only a few months and you'll then be able to put it all behind you and enjoy your own property. Good luck!

KRB2725

Could you explain your position to your landlord/letting agent and see if they are willing to end your tenancy early?

Lance

Thanks folks. I will request my landlord tries and re-lets the place early as they lose nothing and if they wait till the last minute they may have a void. My boy and I can move between them when we like for a few months. The problem with refusing to sign a 6 month tenacy is at the 3 month mark I am sent a form to sign saying if I ntend extending the tenancy a year / 6 month tenacy and the F21, or whatever, to evict at end of tenacy is served at start of tenancy. I actually have a very good deal on the place, at least £200 less than a similar one, and get on fine with the landlords.

GM, when I say my son is registered for council tax at my rental it just means I pay full amount for both of us whilst ex gets a single person discount at her place..... I could charge him but don't.