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New house will be empty on weekdays

Sareteegee
Sareteegee Posts: 27 Forumite
in House buying, renting & selling
Hi All,

We have just bought a house about 200 miles away from where we currently live. We are yet to get jobs in that area so the house will be empty in the week and we will be travelling back to the house every other weekend to gradually furnish the property.

Can anyone advise what I should do about bills: gas, electricity, water and council tax. Will we still have to pay them even though we are not fully living at the property?

Thanks in advance!
«134

Comments

  • G_M
    G_M Posts: 51,977 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    what I should do about bills: gas, electricity, water and council tax. Will we still have to pay them even though we are not fully living at the property?
    Of course! Who do you think should pay? The 2nd-home fairy?

    Check your local council website for its policy on CT on 2nd homes, especially if it is unfurnished - there may be a discount. Or a premium!

    Utilities are just as usual though usage may be low.

    Insurance needs considering. Most standard policies are based on it being the main home, so you may need specialist insurance. Higher risk as the property is larhely unoccupied. Speak to a broker?
  • CIS
    CIS Posts: 12,260 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Is the house in England, Scotland or Wales ?
    I no longer work in Council Tax Recovery but instead work as a specialist Council Tax paralegal assisting landlords and Council Tax payers with council tax disputes and valuation tribunals. My views are my own reading of the law and you should always check with the local authority in question.
  • G_M
    G_M Posts: 51,977 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    CIS wrote: »
    Is the house in England, Scotland or Wales ?
    .... or NI?
  • CocoLouie
    CocoLouie Posts: 78 Forumite
    Of course you will need to pay them. You will still be using the services so they won't be free. Even when you don't use some utilities there will be a standing charge as there is a cost associated with having things like electricity ready to use when you need it.


    You might get a discount on the council tax but you might also be made pay more you will need to check your councils policy.
  • davidmcn
    davidmcn Posts: 23,596 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    G_M wrote: »
    .... or NI?
    Rates rather than council tax in NI, so probably not there.
  • CIS
    CIS Posts: 12,260 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    G_M wrote: »
    .... or NI?


    No council tax in NI as they're still on Rates.
    I no longer work in Council Tax Recovery but instead work as a specialist Council Tax paralegal assisting landlords and Council Tax payers with council tax disputes and valuation tribunals. My views are my own reading of the law and you should always check with the local authority in question.
  • Sareteegee
    Sareteegee Posts: 27 Forumite
    G_M wrote: »
    Of course! Who do you think should pay? The 2nd-home fairy?

    FYI, comments like this just make people feel stupid and embarrassed about asking a question in the first place. People should be able to ask questions without judgement on topics they aren't clued up about. Rather educate myself on a topic than just to go in blindly and end up in debt!
  • G_M
    G_M Posts: 51,977 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    Apologies.
  • marliepanda
    marliepanda Posts: 7,186 Forumite
    Sareteegee wrote: »
    FYI, comments like this just make people feel stupid and embarrassed about asking a question in the first place. People should be able to ask questions without judgement on topics they aren't clued up about. Rather educate myself on a topic than just to go in blindly and end up in debt!

    Well you've already bought the property so a bit late to 'not go in blindly'

    But sorry, silly questions will very often get silly answers. why would you not have to pay a bill because you live there part time? Does electricity and water become free? Council services free? I'll just buy a few houses and only live at them all part time if thats the case.

    Standing charges will need to be paid, usage will need to be paid for and council tax will depend on the council, but very rarely will you get a discount for a second home...
  • Flugelhorn
    Flugelhorn Posts: 7,459 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    re household insurance - they will probably be OK if you let them know and can guarantee it is checked once a week
This discussion has been closed.
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