Moved Out Before End of Tenancy C/T Liability?

Abbymoo

Just a quick ish one.

We moved out a fortnight before we gave notice, (wasn't end of fixed tenancy, as that was 6 months previous) and immediately informed the council that we'd moved. The council are trying to get us to pay the council tax for the time that we didn't live there, six weeks in all until the official check-out date, do we have to pay it? The property was unfurnished if it matters.

Oh and one more thing, please, how long is it reasonable to wait to get your deposit back from the L.A.?

Thanks.:o

tim123456789

This period is your responsibility

If you left the house completely empty (the actual requirement is substantially unfurnished) then you're entitled to whatever empty property discount that the LA now give. if you left it furnished it's full charge

Werdnal

Regardless of when you informed the council, someone has to pay for the gap between you leaving and the notice you gave taking affect. The LL shouldn't have to cover the void as you didn't give them notice you had left, so you should pay it.

Most councils are now in charge of their own CT and applying exemptions. If during the "gap" there was no furniture in the property, ie unfurnished, and therefore uninhabitable, there used to be up to 6 months exemption. This changed at the start of this financial year, so if the period in question is after 1 April, you may find the exemption is only 50%, or even no longer applicable, depending on the particular local authority in your area.

Abbymoo

Will get onto it, thanks

Mr_Moo_2

In relation to your deposit, do you know which scheme it sits in - you might need to notify the scheme to kick the return process off. There was a recent thread about precisely this......

Abbymoo

Mr_Moo wrote: »

In relation to your deposit, do you know which scheme it sits in - you might need to notify the scheme to kick the return process off. There was a recent thread about precisely this......

Hi again

Yep it was with the DPS. We put in a claim, then agreed the amount for the L.A. to get a few repairs done, so we then put in a claim for the revised amount and the status says it's waiting for them to agree, but it's said that for around 3 weeks now.

Dave_the_Ginger_Cat

And if you don't qualify for the empty property discount, at the very least change it to single person for that period to get 25% off (if you don't have it already)

G_M

Abbymoo wrote: »

Just a quick ish one.

We moved out a fortnight before we gave notice,
So you owe rent:
* when did you move out? (Date)
* when did you give notice? (Date)
* what end datedid you ptu on the notice?
* what date did youyr fixed term end?
(wasn't end of fixed tenancy, as that was 6 months previous) and immediately informed the council that we'd moved.
Why?
The council are trying to get us to pay the council tax for the time that we didn't live there, six weeks in all until the official check-out date,
Correct. Whether you live there or not, it was still your responsibility
do we have to pay it?
Yes
The property was unfurnished if it matters. Hmm. You may be able to apply for a CT discount for unoccupied/unfurnished property. ask the council. But it is your responsibility to apply.

Oh and one more thing, please, how long is it reasonable to wait to get your deposit back from the L.A.?

Thanks.:o

Assuming no dispute, a week or so from tenancy end date (NOT the date you moved out).

00ec25

Dave_the_Ginger_Cat wrote: »

And if you don't qualify for the empty property discount, at the very least change it to single person for that period to get 25% off (if you don't have it already)

since OP refers to "we moved out" then please stop promoting illegally claiming SPD

There is clearly more than one person involved and they live elsewhere so it cannot be their main home - SPD is ONLY applicable to the main home