If I buy a House but dont move in for a couple of months.....

OMAR

Whats the minimum things I need to pay for?

Mtg + Buildings Insurance as a minimum?

But what about Council Tax? Bills Etc? Do I wait until I officially move in before I have to pay these?

Thanks

BitterAndTwisted

No, you need to register the day you take over ownership. If the place is empty and there's no power consumption there shouldn't be any usage to pay for. Depending on why the property is empty you could qualify for a CTax exemption. You should speak to the Local Authority about this before you buy, just to be certain of the conditions which may apply.

Werdnal

Firstly, check your insurance policy as they are not keen on properties being left empty for any lenght of time. If there was a fire, break in etc and you were not living there, they may refuse to pay out.

Other than this, Council Tax is usually exempt for up to 6 months if property is unfurnished. Once funiture is in, this becomes payable again. You will need to register with the council for exemption if this applies.

You must tell the Utility companies when you take possession, but there may be nothing to pay other than water sewerage charges if you don't use any power etc.

Svenena

My council has a 100% exemption rate for an unoccupied, UNFURNISHED property, for up to six months. Not sure if this is a national thing. You have to inform them of the situation, don't just assume they won't charge you.

In terms of utilities, you'll obviously have to inform the companies you've taken over the property, but if you're not using any eg electricity/gas, it'll be a very low bill, as you're charged by usage. With water, the cost will probably depend on whether you're on a meter.

As the owner of the property, these things will be your responsibility whether you live there or not.

evoke

You might have an issue with buildings and contents insurance. I doubt that you'll be covered if the property is empty for two months. As for council tax, you can usually get 50% off council tax for the first 6 months.

OMAR

Cheers for the replies. I more than likely will be in the house daily....but until its fully habitable and furnished (first time buyer)....I would probably not be stayin there for a couple of months.....

SilverSix

You can be excused from paying council tax for up to sixth months I think providing it's not lived in and meets a few bits of criteria. It's a one off thing IIRC in that the 'pause' on the council tax, whilst the property is yours will only occur once.

Speak to the local council.

MJS2011

I'm in the same position with my house. I notified Council Tax and Water that I bought the property - both of them took all my details but told me to ring back once I actually moved in.

Jeffrey_Shaw

Plus:
a. if it's leasehold, liability for ground rent and service charge; or
b. if there's a rentcharge, liability for that
begin on completion and not when P [purchaser] moves-in.

00ec25

evoke wrote: »

As for council tax, you can usually get 50% off council tax for the first 6 months.

have you got a link for that? Is it down to local council discretion?

no reference to such a discount from any of my councils - all I can see on their websites is the Class C 100% exemption (for up to 6 months only) because its unfurnished and unoccupied

Discounts (ie amounts <100%) are only available for second homes or certain categories of occupant, neither I nor the OP fit into any of those categories, so where does the 50% discount come from??

HappyMJ

00ec25 wrote: »

have you got a link for that? Is it down to local council discretion?

no reference to such a discount from any of my councils - all I can see on their websites is the Class C 100% exemption (for up to 6 months only) because its unfurnished and unoccupied

Discounts (ie amounts <100%) are only available for second homes or certain categories of occupant, neither I nor the OP fit into any of those categories, so where does the 50% discount come from??

Council discretion. It's a second home allowance. Around here it's 10% discount. If you are renting somewhere else and own this home then it becomes a second home even though you only own one. Where are you living to not be counted as a primary residence?