Ending council tax payments when vacating rental property

Yellowstar_2

Hi all

Not sure this is the correct place to post this, but thought I'd try it and see.

I'm relocating, and so moving out of my rental property this month, notice given correctly, LL (via their LA) have found new tenants. All's fine on that score (so far!).

This morning I called the council to say that we're moving out at the end of the month, and asked what I needed to do to stop our concil tax payments. Lady on the phone told me that they would continue taking money, and we would continue being liable for the council tax until I could give them the "details" of whoever would be liable instead -- either the LL or the new tenants.

Already this seems ridiculous to me -- why do *I* have to tell them who will be paying the bill after my tenancy has ended and I've moved out? I queried it with the lady on the phone at the council, but she said that's the way it works and she cannot take me off their system without replacing me with someone else.

So anyway - I called my LA for my LL's name/address - who say that the LL is abroad and all post should go to the LL, addressed c/o the LA. Called back the council with LA's address, who say that isn't acceptable, that they need the LL's name/address as the LA is merely an agent acting on their behalf and so not liable to pay the council tax. Called back the LA, who are sticking to the "c/o LA" address. Called the council back to explain (again), and asked what they advised me to do. The lady on the phone at the council then got quite shirty with me - saying that she cannot close our account until they have the name and address of either the LL (not c/o the LA) or the new tenants (which of course we do not have), and telling me that I will be responsible until the new tenants register, and I just have to *hope* that they do (implying that I'm still liable if they don't). Surely this cannot be correct?

I'm stuck - any thoughts on how to proceed? I've relocated about once every 18 months for the last decade or so, and never faced this before.I could write a letter to the LA to ask for the LL's address (as per the housing act), but I expect I would get the same "c/o LA" reply, which the council won't accept.

Can anyone point me in the right direction? How does this usually work?

Thanks in advance.

Yellowstar x

G_M

They RE WRONG.

Just put it in writing. Send the council a letter stating what date you are vacating and ask the to 'kindly' transfer liability to the new occupant. (not your responsibility). Also ask them to confirm they are canclling your Direct Debit (if that is how you pay) or to refund any overpayment if you have paid in advance.

Also write to your bank to cancel any DD or Standing Order if relevant.

jjlandlord

Send a letter to the appropriate council's dept. informing them that you will vacate the property and of the date.
Also provide your new address so that they can send you any overpayment or request any underpayment.

When you move, cancels the direct debit to the council.

Yellowstar_2

Thanks both!

Was sure this couldn't be correct. Silly council. I'll write a letter as you've both suggested. I assume this should probably be a two letters sent first class with recipts from different post offices situation?

Yellowstar x

BitterAndTwisted

Don't forget to include the full postal-address of the property and the CTax account reference number quoted on your latest demand.

I don't think it's necessary to send two copies as long as the envelope is addressed to the correct department

Delilah732

Absolute rubbish. I will be moving out of a rental tomorrow. I called my local council 3 weeks ago, told them the date I was leaving and paid the council tax up until tomorrow's date by debit card. No problems at all. I told them that it was a rental and gave the landlord's name and postal address.

Soot2006

Some councils have an online service for council tax changes, so might be worth having a ferret around their website?

E.g. moving into, out of or within Brighton & Hove
http://www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/index.cfm?request=c1206056#new1

Yellowstar_2

Thanks again B&T and Delilah.

Delilah - yes, ideally I'd have the LL's name & address, but I don't. The LL is abroad and the LA (in England) will only give me an address that's c/o the LA - which the council won't "accept". Hence the problem...

Will report back if the council get difficult!

Yellowstar x

Yellowstar_2

Hi Soot

Yep - thanks for the thought - I'd already tried looking for such a form with no success which was when I gave up and gave them a ring.
But your suggestion made me look a bit harder, and I have found an on-line "change of circumstances" form, which includes a "moved house" option. I'll try that when I get home (I don't have my account number with me at the mo).

It seems the council want to be really sure that SOMEONE pays them their tax, and aren't especially bothered who! Well... *I'm* bothered about paying a bill that isn't mine!

Cheers again, y'all!

Yellowstar x

Yellowstar_2

Oh - and I should have known that my "all's fine with moving out and the LA are being sensible" at the start of my OP was optimisitc...

The LA have just emailed me to say that I haven't paid them my rent for the last month, suggesting that I must have cancelled by SO early, and making it very clear what the concequences are of not paying my rent on time and in full, and demanding payment immediately.

Of course, I most certainly HAVE paid my rent. It's the third time in about a year they've said I haven't paid (along with telling me exactly what the concequences are) when I really, really have... <sigh> For goodness sake - they even set up the standing order so it really cannot be my fault.

I really look forward to buying my own place eventually, and not dealing with LAs.

Rant over!

Yellowstar x

Update: Yep - even before I could email them back I've just received an apology email from the LA saying they're sincerely sorry, it's their mistake and they have received my rent (again!).

Leew1231

Isn't the LL's details on the tenancy agreement? I am a landlord, out of the country, and I use a LA. Yet the tenancy agreement is between me and the tenant, with notice of the LA details.