Landlord liability - Empty Property

Simon81669

Hi some advice please.

I am a landlord of a property which has been empty since Dec 17. For various reasons, I have only just got around to dealing with this.

I understand that I need to pay the standing charges back to Dec when the last tenant left but I am not keen to carry on paying standing chargeswhilst it remains empty for at least next 2 months whilst some work is undertaken - after which a new tenant could move in.

First Utility are supplier of both Gas and electricity - the variable tariff, which I understand is their most expensive tariff. They say they have to charge a standing charge and that although I could change tariff there is a minimum term and I would be liable to exit fees if a new tenant moves in before the minimum term of a changed tariff ends, apparently approx £30 each for Gas and electricity. They say I can’t disconnect either. I saw there are suppliers who don’t make a standing charge so perhaps I could switch but I don’t know if I would still be subject to exit fees. Any ideas on how I can avoid paying standing charges whilst the property remains empty until a new tenant moves in, in about 2-3 months?

Regards
Simon

D_M_E

If you are on FU's standard tariff then there should be no exit fees.

I believe Bulb have zero standing charges for one and there are others with no standing charges as well.

Yes, you pay a little more per unit but if you don't use much then well worth switching.

ValiantSon

As you are on a variable tariff then you should be able to switch without paying any exit fees.

Ebico don't have a standing charge on their variable tariffs. Bulb do have a standing charge.
Solarplicity also have a tariff without standing charges, but the unit prices look pretty high to me.

[Deleted User]

I used Ebico Zero, no standing charges, for around 4 months on a vacant property. This tariff is not available for prepayment meters, only credit meters. The good thing about Ebico is that when I used them last year they were one of the cheapest for yearly fixed tariff so could move from their high tariff for no standing charges.
Robin Hood Energy took over Ebico so I assume an exit free switch to them would be easy if their rates are better.

Simon81669

Hi All - thanks for replies so far.

D_M_E - so I agree there are no exit fees from current tariff but if I move then exit fees become payable on any new tariff of less than minimum term. No energy will be used until a new tenant moves in when they will need tariff - timescale for this is expected to be less than any minimum term if I change tariff or supplier now.

Valiant - see my first comment above. The issue with changing to any of these suppliers is whether I can then change again in say 3 months without exit fees.

Houbara - so it sounds like there would be no problem about exit fees with ebico (Robin Hood) if I switch now and then exit in 3 months. Can you confirm if that is what you mean?

Thanks very much again

Regards
Simon

ValiantSon

Simon81669 wrote: »

Hi All - thanks for replies so far.

D_M_E - so I agree there are no exit fees from current tariff but if I move then exit fees become payable on any new tariff of less than minimum term. No energy will be used until a new tenant moves in when they will need tariff - timescale for this is expected to be less than any minimum term if I change tariff or supplier now.

Valiant - see my first comment above. The issue with changing to any of these suppliers is whether I can then change again in say 3 months without exit fees.

Houbara - so it sounds like there would be no problem about exit fees with ebico (Robin Hood) if I switch now and then exit in 3 months. Can you confirm if that is what you mean?

Thanks very much again

Regards
Simon

There are no exit fees on the Ebico tariffs I suggested. They are variable tariffs, which don't have exit fees.

Simon81669

Thanks again!

Skools_Out

Simon81669 wrote: »

Hi some advice please.

I am a landlord of a property which has been empty since Dec 17. For various reasons, I have only just got around to dealing with this.

I understand that I need to pay the standing charges back to Dec when the last tenant left but I am not keen to carry on paying standing chargeswhilst it remains empty for at least next 2 months whilst some work is undertaken - after which a new tenant could move in.

First Utility are supplier of both Gas and electricity - the variable tariff, which I understand is their most expensive tariff. They say they have to charge a standing charge and that although I could change tariff there is a minimum term and I would be liable to exit fees if a new tenant moves in before the minimum term of a changed tariff ends, apparently approx £30 each for Gas and electricity. They say I can!!!8217;t disconnect either. I saw there are suppliers who don!!!8217;t make a standing charge so perhaps I could switch but I don!!!8217;t know if I would still be subject to exit fees. Any ideas on how I can avoid paying standing charges whilst the property remains empty until a new tenant moves in, in about 2-3 months?

Regards
Simon

Use a comparison site to find the best deal for you. Remember any switch application will take at least 17 days to occur, but as the property has been untenanted since last Decemeber, presumably you are not in too much of a hurry to get any new tenants.

Sites such as the MSE CEC allow you to search just zero standing charge tariffs, but that may not be the cheapest option, so best not to filter out results and see what is cheapest for you from the whole of the market.
You will need to consider the application of possible early exit fees and make a decision accordingly.

With prices generally on the increase, you may wish to consider a fixed price tariff if you are not going to let the property for some time; some fixed tariffs have no early exit fees.

I suspect you will be using some energy over the coming months, if not for heating, alarms, lighting (durin g inspections etc), etc, then during the period of repairs.

Perhaps of more significance is the effect of possible council tax fees now applying, and that you should inform your insurance company (and possibly any mortgage company involved) due to the long term unoccupancy of teh property and the indication you have given that the property now requires repair.