Rental contract on 2 properties do I need to pay utilities on both?

pug_lover

Hi guys,

We've just signed a lease for a new rental property, but it starts 35 days before our current one expires.

I believe I can get a council tax discount on the empty property, i will talk to my council.

But I'm wondering about all the utilities? The lease seems to imply that we are responsible for transferring them all into our name the day the lease on the new property starts ie water, gas, electricity, television licence. Does this mean I need to pay for the utilities on both properties for that period?

Of course, we will only be using utilities in one property but it's more the standard daily charge that I'm worried about!

Any tips would be great!

Thanks

anniecave

If you are legally responsible for both properties, then yes, you need to take over the water, gas, electricity and council tax at the new property from the tenancy start date.

And yes, enquiring about council tax discounts is worth it.

TV licencing is slightly different, as you only need a TV licence if you are watching live TV at a property. So if you have a licence already at the old property, you can contact TV licensing and switch over the licence to the new property when you move the TVs from the old property to the new property. Of course if you want to be able to watch TV at both properties for the same period of time, then you'll need to get a second licence for the new property, then cancel the old licence later when you've moved, if you see what I mean.

If you don't watch TV, then of course you don't need a TV licence at all. Just let the lovely TV licensing people know this when they write to you.

chris1973

Does this mean I need to pay for the utilities on both properties for that period?

Yes of course, otherwise those fortunate enough to have weekend or holiday 'second' properties would essentially be getting 'free' utilities at one of those properties!.

I assume you are also going to want the ability to switch on lights / make a cuppa / flush the toilet during the time you are moving into / arranging furniture in the new place, so the presence of utilities during the interim period, I'm sure will turn out to be a positive thing!.

macman

Make sure that you read the meters and submit readings now-you are in a deemed contract as the start of your lease.