Gradual move in - Council tax?

Crumble2018

We are hoping to exchange contracts on our flat purchase tomorrow and we are currently in rented. Completion should be the 22nd, and our tenancy runs from the 22nd-23rd of the month.
Because we will have the tenancy running until 23rd December, we are planning to move into our new flat over a couple of weeks so we can get new flooring put in and decorate.
Can anyone advise what we need to do regarding Council tax? We will hopefully hand our keys back a couple of weeks early, but will we still have to pay council tax until the end of our tenancy? I have no recollection of what we did regarding council tax on previous moves (old age kicking in!!)
Thanks!

SmashedAvacado

you would be liable for both

Crumble2018

i know I’ll need to pay both, but if we move out before the end of our tenancy, does it end there, or are we paying until 23rd December whether we’re living there or not?

G_M

You contact the council at the new property and give them your details. You are liable for the CT (who else would be?). Check their website for any discount that may be available eg vacant property.

You may remain liable for CT at your current address till the fixed term ends.

Or till you vacate depending if a Statutory or Contractual periodic tenancy.
See

https://www.landlordsguild.com/how-to-ensure-your-tenant-is-liable-for-council-tax-at-the-end-of-term/


Please define your current tenancy.

Crumble2018

G_M wrote: »

You contact the council at the new property and give them your details. You are liable for the CT (who else would be?). Check their website for any discount that may be available eg vacant property.


You will remain liable for CT at your current address till you vacate (if a periodic tenancy) or until the fixed term ends.

Maybe I’m not explaining very well! We get the keys to the new flat on the 22nd, so yes, I know we’ll pay council tax on it from that point. Our tenancy on our current rental will run until 23rd December, but we’ll probably hand the keys back around 10th December. So - will our responsibility for the council tax end there, or will we pay for it until the 23rd December when the tenancy ends?

G_M

Crumble2018 wrote: »

Maybe I’m not explaining very well! We get the keys to the new flat on the 22nd, so yes, I know we’ll pay council tax on it from that point. Our tenancy on our current rental will run until 23rd December, but we’ll probably hand the keys back around 10th December. So - will our responsibility for the council tax end there, or will we pay for it until the 23rd December when the tenancy ends?

Please see my previous post.

Crumble2018

We were on 12 month contacts, but it became periodic in July when we didn’t renew. Reading that link above, it seems we need to pay until the 23rd December.

kinger101

What GM said. The polices tend to vary from council to council. It's easiest to just write a letter to the council laying out all the facts (including when you will move out and when the tenancy ends). If their rules mean you don't have to pay for the few days you don't live there, they'll amend the bill accordingly. If you do, it's your liability until the end of the tenancy.

Crumble2018

kinger101 wrote: »

What GM said. The polices tend to vary from council to council. It's easiest to just write a letter to the council laying out all the facts (including when you will move out and when the tenancy ends). If their rules mean you don't have to pay for the few days you don't live there, they'll amend the bill accordingly. If you do, it's your liability until the end of the tenancy.

Thanks - I’ve managed to find an online form to notify the council of changes, so I’ll outline it all on there. It’s nice being able to do a gradual move, but it’s a total ball ache organising utilities etc!

panterka

I would suggest to phone the council.
When I was in a similar situation, even though still liable for both, then offered a discount on a property I was moving out of, as it was no longer furnished.

davidmcn

Crumble2018 wrote: »

Our tenancy on our current rental will run until 23rd December, but we’ll probably hand the keys back around 10th December. So - will our responsibility for the council tax end there, or will we pay for it until the 23rd December when the tenancy ends?

Who else do you think would be liable for the council tax, if you're still the tenant? As mentioned, if unoccupied and unfurnished there may be an exemption, but it'll still be your name on the bill.