How to handle utilities when overlap between moving dates?

NiniS

Hi everyone!

So after about 6 months of waiting and lots of frustration, we have finally exchanged on our first house, and are hoping to receive the keys on Friday! Finally!

Now the issue we are having is that we are still renting and will be until the end of January probably. Which is fine, we plan to use that time to get some things sorted in the house we are buying.

However, we are unsure on what we need to do in regards to things like council tax, utilities etc. When do we cancel our council tax in our rental? Is that on the day we intend to actually move? Do we already apply for the council tax in the new house, even though we aren't moving yet? So we would most likely be paying tax on both places, yes?

As for utilities, can I just pick the suppliers I want and get them set up in the course of next week? Do I actually need to cancel anything in the house we are buying? I don't know if anyone will have to come over to the house to... set anything up or not (can you tell I have no clue what is going on? :P ).

Our home report did say that the electricity system was outdated and needed to be checked, would that be done by the supplier or do I need to get an electrician to come in?

Sorry, this is all probably really obvious, but my brain feels a bit fried at the moment from sorting out so many things at the last minute (we only exchanged on Friday). I just need to figure out what are the essentials I need to get done as soon as possible. Any help would be appreciated!

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G_M

ninis wrote: »

when do we cancel our council tax in our rental?
on the final day of your tenancy.

do we already apply for the council tax in the new house, even though we aren't moving yet?
yes. But some councils will give a discount for empty property - check their website
so we would most likely be paying tax on both places, yes?
yes

as for utilities, can i just pick the suppliers i want and get them set up in the course of next week?
no - take over the existing supply (check who it's with). Then when you have time in the next few weeks, use comparison sites to switch if you wish.

do i actually need to cancel anything in the house we are buying?
the sellers will cancel their accounts. You need to read the meters and inform the suppliers you are setting up an account.

i don't know if anyone will have to come over to the house to... Set anything up or not (can you tell i have no clue what is going on? ).
yes - i can tell.

our home report did say that the electricity system was outdated and needed to be checked, would that be done by the supplier or do i need to get an electrician to come in?
electrician.

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Tigsteroonie

We had an short overlap between rental & buying. I wrote to our Council Tax office and explained why there was an overlap and told them the actual moving date. They charged us on the old house until moved, on the new house from moving date. Effectively the new house was 'free' for two weeks before moving, and the old house 'free' for one week after moving.

NiniS

G_M wrote: »

:t...................................................

Thanks! I know that some of it makes sense really when I think about it, but I just want to make sure.
All the guides I've looked at are for when you move on the same day as completion. At the moment, I don't even know yet on what date we'll be moving exactly.

Tigsteroonie wrote: »

We had an short overlap between rental & buying. I wrote to our Council Tax office and explained why there was an overlap and told them the actual moving date. They charged us on the old house until moved, on the new house from moving date. Effectively the new house was 'free' for two weeks before moving, and the old house 'free' for one week after moving.

Was that in the same council? We will be paying to a different council in our new house, so I have a feeling that wouldn't work for us, sadly!

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glasgowdan

We were renovating our new house and didn't pay council tax during the 2 month overlap. Utilities we kept existing deals at rented house up to last day of lease. THEN we instigated a house move with that same provider. Period between, at new house, we pay the current supplier after they write to new occupier.

Home report...feel free to ignore the copy paste text about dated electrics. They all say that. Chances are the electrics work just fine and you don't need to do anything.

ENJOY!

NiniS

glasgowdan wrote: »

We were renovating our new house and didn't pay council tax during the 2 month overlap. Utilities we kept existing deals at rented house up to last day of lease. THEN we instigated a house move with that same provider. Period between, at new house, we pay the current supplier after they write to new occupier.

Home report...feel free to ignore the copy paste text about dated electrics. They all say that. Chances are the electrics work just fine and you don't need to do anything.

ENJOY!

Do you not pay the council tax until you actually move in then?

I've just had a look at trying to set up the council tax, and it asks this:
Date you moved in.
Date of purchase.
Date furniture was moved in.

Purchase date I assume is completion day. However, the day we are actually moving in and moving in furniture is somewhere in the future (and not on the same dates, furniture will be a few days before at least, as we need to buy everything), but we don't have a set date yet... so how can I answer their form? :S

G_M

You become responsible for CT from the date of purchase. If not you, then who? The seller?!!! Hardly.

However, as advised in post 2, some councils give discounts (or exemptions) for empty properties, so although you are the person responsible, the actual tax payable may be reduced or zero.

See the council website.

glasgowdan

Just phone them and speak to someone. I'd declare the date of furniture as the same date you're moving in.

saajan_12

Rental: Tenant is liable for CT throughout the tenancy, i.e. until you (and your possessions) move out). However you may have a term in your rental agreement making you responsible for the CT for the duration of your contract (e.g. until the end of any notice period) even if this means paying back your LL for the time after you move out.

Purchase: You as owner are responsible for the entire period you own it, so from Completion.

However in both properties, you can tell the respective councils about your actual move date. Some have a discount for empty properties so you would still be liable but the CT would be zero. However note some councils may limit the time you can claim the discount, to discourage empty properties so you may end up paying CT twice if you have a long overlap.

SwanJon

NiniS wrote: »

Was that in the same council? We will be paying to a different council in our new house, so I have a feeling that wouldn't work for us, sadly!

We were in the same boat - out of rental two weeks after buying the new house, different councils.
Spoke to new council, gave dates of purchase and date of moving in (end of tenancy) - didn't charge us for the weeks the house was empty.

You can have an energy account for each property - it's in your interest to get one set up in the new house from complaetion - take a read and call the existing supplier (vendor should tell you who this is). Vendor may be able to give you an idea of how muchthey were using so you could use that on a switching site to find a deal for you.
When you move out of rental let suppliers for there know, and give them readings.

Phone/TV/Internet - depending on the property you may need to have someone come round.

Mail - I've found the redirection useful - there's always someone you forget to tell (or uses the odl address even though you have told them)

NiniS

Thanks for the replies everyone!

We now have a house! Whooo! Not been able to actually check it out yet as we got the keys late and had to be somewhere, but will check it out properly this weekend hopefully!

Question in regards to electricity and gas though. The previous owners used ScottishPower, and I'm now trying to use their website to let them know we now own the house. The thing is that it just gives me quotes for deals for 1 or 2 years... but I'm not sure I want to stay with them as they are probably not the cheapest! So can I instantly go to a different supplier and set up an account with them, without doing anything with ScottishPower? :S

Strangely enough, there was already a bill for the sewerage waiting for me at the house, addressed to me. Even though I haven't contacted them yet about my move. Strange!