Utilities on empty rental, who liable?

Comms69

DottieDam wrote: »

OK note to self don't use hyperbole on a forum. - it's not hyperbole. It's winter. Any house, modern or ancient risks pipes freezing. Hence why it's often advised to drain heating systems, close stopcock, etc. on any property vacant for more than a few weeks

The house gets very very cold and would be off putting to potential tenants. So I can see why they would want to warm it up and make it more welcoming before hand. - no agent will be doing this. It's simply not worth it

But I think on reflection I should rescind my offer of them viewing before our tenancy ends. - and how will you enforce this? You aren't there. We only have to pay for seven days rent anyway with tenancy ending in ten days and could end up with costly bills (they are very expensive in that house). - I doubt that 7 days of bills would be in anyway significant

Will put heating to come on for hour a day though just in case.

good idea, get photos of everything

DottieDam

Really wish I could do replies right now but it's being off on my phone.

I do have photos of everything and when we viewed it in August they put the heating on before we went round to view (should have been an alarm then) so that's why I think they would do it again.

If they leave the heating on for a few hours a day everyday that's a lot on standard tariffs for us to pay with no benefit. Seems petty but this is MSE after all!

I left the house without heating since before Christmas and it's only been on a few times since (when we went in to clean) but you are right Pixie that maybe I got very lucky and should be less relaxed about it.

davidmcn

It shouldn't cost that much to keep it just above freezing (there are thermostats, right?) rather than comfortably cosy.

lookstraightahead

Just to be clear you are still the tenant and you are responsible for the property until the end of your tenancy. Just like with anything else in life. Why would you think you weren't responsible?

lisyloo

Does the house have a thermostat
I keep our heating on all the time but at a low temperature setting when we aren't there.
Wouldn't this be a good trade-off? between

- not wanting high bills
- not wanting burst pipes
- not being freezing for viewings


Our thermostat has 4 daily periods (morning, day, evening and night) and 2 weekly periods (mon-fri and weekends).
We choose to keep it on the same all the time, but if you want to maximise savings you could just put it on a low setting at night?

CIS

I know we are liable for council tax up until the end of tenancy but what about gas/electricity?

Not always - it depends on the specifics of the tenancy agreement (you can remain liable for rent and not council tax).

System

Up until the end of the tenancy the responsibility is yours. You will also find that your tenancy agreement most likely has a clause stating that you have to keep the property sufficiently heated to prevent burst pipes so if you turn everything off and the pipes freeze you may find claim for damages.

At the end of the tenancy you submit the meter readings to your energy company. The landlord is also required to submit them. The landlord is then required to notify the energy company that a new tenant has taken over and submit meter readings at the start of the tenancy. The landlord then is billed for the energy used and any standing charges between the end of the last tenancy and the start of the new one.

silvercar

You should keep the property at a level that avoids damp/ freezing pipes etc

You are not obliged to heat it to a level that tenants viewing it will feel comfortable enough to take their coats off.

It must be fairly obvious to anyone viewing that the place is unoccupied and therefore heating is minimal. That's if they even notice, given that they will arrive at the property dressed for the outside weather conditions.