Utility bills after moving out of rented property

AnnieMags

Hello all, i would be grateful for some advice. My current tenancy ends on 20 August and for the last month will be running concurrently with my first month's rent on my next rented property. I will of course pay the rent up until the last day, no quarrels there, but what about utility bills if I actually move out two weeks before the tenancy ends? Can I ask the energy and water company for a final reading and bill even if I am still technically renting for another two or three weeks?

The landlord is working abroad but will be back in the UK for the last two weeks of my tenancy and has asked permission to come in and give the garden a good overhaul in preparation for his next tenant. I have no probelm with that, but I would rather it was not my water bill he used for the garden and the pond. Being summer at least I don't need to worry too much about the gas and electricity usage, but the garden and pond are real water guzzlers, apart from the regular standing charges.

I don't want to sound mean, but paying two lots of rent for a month is already putting a squeeze on the finances and I am looking to save a few pennies if I can. I would be grateful for any input.

Guest101

Ofcourse, telephone them and tell them you have moved, request the final bill and your done. Make sure everything is off, and let your LL know, he should be fine with this

mrginge

Guest101 wrote: »

Ofcourse, telephone them and tell them you have moved, request the final bill and your done. Make sure everything is off, and let your LL know, he should be fine with this

Oh dear.i wouldn't do this if i were you.

Whether you move out or not you are responsible for the bills up until the end of your tenancy. If you are so bothered about a water bill then tell the LL he can have no access until that time.

Or alternatively, negotiate an early surrender. You get less rent to pay and the LL can do what he wants with the house/garden

ognum

you are responsible for all utility bills including council tax until the end of your tenancy whether you live there or not.

You need to get written agreement from your landlord that he will be paying the water bill. Even if you have no usage there will be standing charges to pay from the utility bills!

AnnieMags

Thank you both - I am afraid mrginge is probably right! I will just have to run two households for a month. An early surrender is not an option, that has been made clear to me, so I think I shall just have to grin and bear it. Thanks again.

G_M

Guest101 wrote: »

Ofcourse, telephone them and tell them you have moved, request the final bill and your done. Make sure everything is off, and let your LL know, he should be fine with this

NOooo!

You are responsible for all bills until the tenancy ends, NOT until you move out.

There may well be a standing charge to be paid, even ifno gas/electricity is used.

There may well be appliances using small amountsof electricity even if you are not living there.

You will needtogobackon the last day of the tenancy and read themeters then, and call the companies toclose your accounts.

Ideally do this with the LL or his agent (so you agree the readings). You can hand back the key at the same time, and maybe do a joint inspection.

Also check your tenancy agreement for a clause prohibiting leaving the property unoccupied for more than X weeks(3? 6?). This will be beacuse the LL's insurance has a similar clause. You could invalidate his insurance!

As for the water, well, you couldcometo an agreement with the LL over this, buttobehonest, as said above, you are responsible for all bills till tenancy ends. So if the pond needs filling /garden needs watering sobeit. That ispart of the costof maintaining the property.

Be grateful he is putting in the labour, not expecting you to get the garden up to scratch!

Guest101

I did say, tell your landlord, who SHOULD be fine with this. bearing in mind they want access early, this seems a prime win win opportunity.

yes he is responsible, hence why i said make sure everything is off.

Guest101

Just a follow on question, which has bothered me for a while. I know most tenancies say you cannot vacate for longer than x weeks (for insurnce purposes)

However my question is, how can this be enforced practically. Ok the tenant is in breach of the agreement, but what can be done about it?

G_M

Guest101 wrote: »

Just a follow on question, which has bothered me for a while. I know most tenancies say you cannot vacate for longer than x weeks (for insurnce purposes)

However my question is, how can this be enforced practically. Ok the tenant is in breach of the agreement, but what can be done about it?

A number of ways, though all long-winded & unlikely.

However, to give a worst-case scenario:

* Tenant breaches the clause and leaves property unoccupied
* Property burns down
* LL claims on insurance
* Insurer rejects claim due to tenant's breach of tenancy (and LL's related breach of insurance terms)
* LL does what....?

Sues tenant for cost of rebuilding the property!
OK - tenant is unlikely to have the £300,000 required, but LL could bankrupt the tenant getting as much as possible towards hislosses.

Guest101

G_M wrote: »

A number of ways, though all long-winded & unlikely.

However, to give a worst-case scenario:

* Tenant breaches the clause and leaves property unoccupied
* Property burns down
* LL claims on insurance
* Insurer rejects claim due to tenant's breach of tenancy (and LL's related breach of insurance terms)
* LL does what....?

Sues tenant for cost of rebuilding the property!
OK - tenant is unlikely to have the £300,000 required, but LL could bankrupt the tenant getting as much as possible towards hislosses.

ye fair enough, i firgured that was worst case scenario

Just always wondered about it.

Anyway, back on topic. OP have you spoken to your LL about your concerns?

I do think it's reasonable that if they wish to access early, you shouldn't pay the bills for this.

Whilst the garden might need maintanance, you may be able to (hypothetically, i dont know the whole scenario) do this cheaper.