Ending tenancy notice period and council tax query

firsttimebuyer15

Couple of questions. Firstly I am on a periodic contract and pay rent monthly on the 15th day of the month, my contract states two months notice so if I gave my notice next week would I be expected to pay rent for both the 15th April and 15th May? 

I expect to be moving out of the rented accommodation before the two months notice period is up but I am responsible for paying the council tax until the end of the notice period?

user1977

It's still your flat until the end of the tenancy, so the council tax remains your responsibility (in the same way it would if you went away on holiday). If the property is both unoccupied and unfurnished, the council might give a concession for that period.

TripleH

Yes you are responsible for council tax as well as for gas and electric up to the date your contract ends.

That means (distance permitting) that you can move our at an easier pace (ie not push to do it all in a day). It also gives you time to clean the place and take pictures.

If the landlord wants early access after you vacate but before your contract ends, I'd agree provided the checkout report is done before they gain access and you take final meter readings.

SusieT

It is also worth looking at your contract to see if there is anything there along the lines of the property must remain occupied until the end of the tenancy. This may mean that you will have to pay council tax on it until the "official" move out date. Well worth you seeing if the landlord will accept an earlier termination if this is the case. 

canaldumidi

firsttimebuyer15 said:

Firstly I am on a periodic contract and pay rent monthly on the 15th day of the month, my contract states two months notice so if I gave my notice next week would I be expected to pay rent for both the 15th April and 15th May? 

I expect to be moving out of the rented accommodation before the two months notice period is up but I am responsible for paying the council tax until the end of the notice period?

Rent date is irrelevant - what matters is the dates of each 'period'. Usually the same but not always. What exact date did your fixed term end (assuming you started with a fixed term), or what exact date did your tenancy start (if no fixed term)?

But assuming you are right that your Periods run from 15th to 14th of each month, then yes, giving notice 'next week' (ie before 15th April) means your tenancy will end on 14th June (two full tenancy periods later) and hence rent will be due on 15th May.

Similarly gas & electricity (not council tax) etc will remain your responsibility till 14th June.

You could, of course, agree an earlier end date for your tenancy provided your landlord agrees.If he does, get it confirmed in writing, and agree that rent will be due 'pro rata' for however many days the tenancy continues.

CIS

It's still your flat until the end of the tenancy, so the council tax remains your responsibility (in the same way it would if you went away on holiday). If the property is both unoccupied and unfurnished, the council might give a concession for that period.

Not on a monthly periodic, it isn't.

In that case, there's no relevant interest in the property for the OP unless he's also resident. Once he ceases being resident then the liability for council tax ends, even if the tenancy continued. http://www.lgfa92.co.uk/liability-tenants-vacation-court-appeal-hearing/

firsttimebuyer15

CIS said:

It's still your flat until the end of the tenancy, so the council tax remains your responsibility (in the same way it would if you went away on holiday). If the property is both unoccupied and unfurnished, the council might give a concession for that period.

Not on a monthly periodic, it isn't.

In that case, there's no relevant interest in the property for the OP unless he's also resident. Once he ceases being resident then the liability for council tax ends, even if the tenancy continued. http://www.lgfa92.co.uk/liability-tenants-vacation-court-appeal-hearing/

Thanks for this info. Looks like I might need to explain this to council.

CIS

firsttimebuyer15 said:

CIS said:

It's still your flat until the end of the tenancy, so the council tax remains your responsibility (in the same way it would if you went away on holiday). If the property is both unoccupied and unfurnished, the council might give a concession for that period.

Not on a monthly periodic, it isn't.

In that case, there's no relevant interest in the property for the OP unless he's also resident. Once he ceases being resident then the liability for council tax ends, even if the tenancy continued. http://www.lgfa92.co.uk/liability-tenants-vacation-court-appeal-hearing/

Thanks for this info. Looks like I might need to explain this to council.

I spend a large part of my working life doing the same - I've even needed to point it out to the council in that case, Leeds (which was quite humorous).

firsttimebuyer15

CIS said:

firsttimebuyer15 said:

CIS said:

It's still your flat until the end of the tenancy, so the council tax remains your responsibility (in the same way it would if you went away on holiday). If the property is both unoccupied and unfurnished, the council might give a concession for that period.

Not on a monthly periodic, it isn't.

In that case, there's no relevant interest in the property for the OP unless he's also resident. Once he ceases being resident then the liability for council tax ends, even if the tenancy continued. http://www.lgfa92.co.uk/liability-tenants-vacation-court-appeal-hearing/

Thanks for this info. Looks like I might need to explain this to council.

I spend a large part of my working life doing the same - I've even needed to point it out to the council in that case, Leeds (which was quite humorous).

That doesn't surprise me. So far they have just sent me a full bill for both properties

Would I need to have handed back the keys too before the council tax falls back on the landlord or just have moved out? Just wondering if there's any other specifics that I need to make sure of.

firsttimebuyer15

So after going quiet over this for a couple of months now that it is time to pay my deposit back they are withholding saying I need to pay the two months of council tax. I've sent them again the legal high court example but what should I do next if they still drag their feet?

RAS

Are "they" your LL or Council?