Moving House

sophscottx

Hello!

We've finally got completion date for our new build, next Monday, woo!

However we won't be moving in straight away as want to do any snagging (:() and then have our flooring fitted as we didn't go with the builders for this...

It will probably be a week or so before we start living in it, if all goes well, do I have to inform all my bill company people that we will be technically living in two addresses for a week? Will I have to pay double anything?

Any help would be much appreciated!

Hedgehog99

Assuming you will own the new place for the week before you move in?

You'd have to pay buildings insurance & utilities etc, but can hopefully get a temporary exemption for council tax while it's unoccupied/unfurnished?

lewishardwick

Sadly I think most councils have stopped exemptions for unoccupied/unfurnished properties.

sophscottx

We will own the house yeah!

So I'll have to pay double everything for about a week? That's horrendous!!

Niv

sophscottx wrote: »

We will own the house yeah!

So I'll have to pay double everything for about a week? That's horrendous!!

Not really horrendous, I think it is perfectly reasonable that you pay for buildings insurance, water etc. for both properties

always_sunny

sophscottx wrote: »

We will own the house yeah!

So I'll have to pay double everything for about a week? That's horrendous!!

Must be the excitement doing the talking for you [I hope]. Realistically, you may pay £100 max across all those expenses, in the big scheme of things, not so much.
The Post Office charges more for mail redirection!

davidmcn

sophscottx wrote: »

So I'll have to pay double everything for about a week? That's horrendous!!

Is this a wind-up? Who else do you think is going to pay for your two houses?!

gingercordial

sophscottx wrote: »

We will own the house yeah!

So I'll have to pay double everything for about a week? That's horrendous!!

Who else is going to pay?

However if you're not living in the new property your utilities bills should be low. The standing charge plus whatever your builders use, but they won't be having the heating on or loads of showers.

My council in north London does allow an exemption for a second property for up to one month if it is unfurnished and unoccupied. You'll have to check your own council for their rules.

If you don't want to be paying double for the phone and internet, just don't sign up for those in the new place until you move in.

Insurance is up to you but you won't be happy if your new place burns down for want of a week's overlap...

Hedgehog99

lewishardwick wrote: »

Sadly I think most councils have stopped exemptions for unoccupied/unfurnished properties.

Mine still allows it - for one month as as standard, or for up to 12 months if major refurbishment is taking place. Then it's the full charge for the remainder of two years since property became empty, then 150% of the charge if still empty (i.e. to encourage occupation of housing stock).

...so it's worth checking with your local council.

Harper123

Not really horrendous...how much can a week of council tax and buildings insurance be...

If you're not actually going to be living in the new house you don't have to move internet/tv over until you move in. And utility bills with no one using gas/electric/water will be negligible.

Fosterdog

If you can't afford it right now speak to the providers about spreading the cost.

I've just gone six weeks from completion to moving in while still living in my rented house while work was being done. I still have to pay all utilities and council tax on both for the six weeks but the council tax and water both allowed me to add it on to my new annual bill and spread it over the remainder of the financial year. Gas and electric didn't but only because the old house was pretty pay.