Who is responsible for Standing Charge on Empty Property

Leodogger

We are moving back into a property we were renting but it will be empty for 5 weeks after the tenant leaves. Are we responsible for the standing charge between her leaving and us moving back into the property during the time the property is empty ?

Barny1979

When you sign the lease, surely you are then responsible?

jbuchanangb

Yes, take the meter readings when the tenant moves out, and inform the utility suppliers so they set up account in your name.

PixelPound

The landlord will be responsible, in theory - i.e. the tenant who moves out informs the energy co and gets a final bill, when you sign the tenancy to move in you let the energy co know the date and the meter readings, when there is no tenant it is the landlord who is responsible. Landlords try to ensure no gap between tenants.

Are you moving in when your tenancy starts, or started the tenancy but can't move in for 5 weeks?

bsms1147

I think OP is the landlord, they're moving into a property they are renting out to a tenant?

OP you're responsible from when the tenant's contract ends.

Leodogger

Yes we are the landlords. I think after further investigation you are probably right though I think this is completely unfair considering we will not be in the property for 5 weeks. I believe that NPower actually do a tariff which excludes a standing charge so I might investigate that one further.

Robin9

5 weeks at 20p a day = £7 Is it worth the hassle ?

Socajam

Leodogger wrote: »

Yes we are the landlords. I think after further investigation you are probably right though I think this is completely unfair considering we will not be in the property for 5 weeks. I believe that NPower actually do a tariff which excludes a standing charge so I might investigate that one further.

So if this is unfair, who then should be responsible, your tenants who have left the property?

The property is yours, so it is your responsibility, just like you will be responsible for the council tax as soon as the tenant moved out.

[Deleted User]

Hi,


just get it disconnected for now, then reconnected when you need it.


No doubt here will be a 'small' charge for that.

Leodogger

No I wasn't suggesting it was the responsibility of the tenant moving out, although I have allowed her to cut her notice period in half and move after 1 month instead of 2 because she has a knee operation coming up and wanted to be out before the operation. No I merely thought that it was unfair for anyone who is not occupying a property to be forced to pay a standing charge for a service you are not using, I don't just mean for me but for anyone. Don't you agree ?

Leodogger

Don't think it would be worth it in the long run, it will cost an extra £10 for the standing charge but the disconnection and reconnection charges would cost much more I would guess. Looks like just swallowing the charge.