Paying council tax on empty rental property

trippy

If the property is unoccupied but the tenants are still paying rent as they are still tied into a contract, who is liable for the council tax?

Our rental property still has 2 months to run on its agreement but the tenants are moving out. They're happy to carry on paying the rent as they accept they are bound by the tenancy agreement. But there is no exemption of council tax for unoccupied properties left so council tax will be due.

I wondered who was liable to pay that. Is it us as owners/ LL or theirs under their tenancy agreement?

lincroft1710

As your tenants are continuing to pay rent and have not surrendered their tenancy, they still have the right to occupy the property and therefore are deemed to be the occupiers and are responsible for paying the council tax.

ognum

If the tenants have a tenancy agreement still in force then they are responsible. If you have agreed to end the tenancy and no agreement is in force then it's your resposibility.

trippy

Thank you for the replies. That's reassuring.

Guest101

Check your insurance, as some LL insurance means the tenants cannot leave the property unoccupid for longer than 14 consecutive days.