Should I get a tenants forwarding address?

dllive

Hi

My tenant has given his 30 day notice (he's on a periodic tenancy). Ive asked my tenant to notify the council tax, energy companies etc. 

Ive asked my tenant to give me a forwarding address (he's just bought his own place). Ive asked him twice but he hasnt yet. I dont know if hes willfully not wanting me to have it, or just a bit flakey (probably the latter).

I feel like I should have it, just in case. For example, if he doesnt notify the energy company that hes moving out etc...

What are your thoughts? Do you always insist a tenant gives you a forwarding address? Or is it unreasonable to expect so?

Thanks

RHemmings

Speaking as someone who should be in the same position as your tenant, I would want my current landlord to have my new contact details including email. 

Though, I can imagine some people not wanting that. 

I'm just hoping that your tenant isn't hiding something that they don't want you to chase them for. Perhaps I'm being cynical. 

RAS

If you are the landlord for your own financial sake when your tenant leaves, you need to contact the local council, and you need to take meter readings and submit them to the utility companies.

And take them again when the new tenant moves in.

dllive

Indeed. I really feel like I should get his forwarding address.  I will push the point a bit harder when I see him, or in an email. As you say, you would want to give your landlord a forwarding address so he can forward any post etc...

Yes, I will take photos of the meters on the last day. But how do I know what energy companies (internet, phone, electricity) he is with if theoretically - he wont tell me? Or do I not need to know who he's currently using as I only have to give these figures to the new companies?

The water company and council is straightforward, Im just not sure about how the internet/phone/electricity bills.

user1977

If the utility companies have trouble finding him, that's their problem, not one you need to solve for them.

You can't insist that he gives you a forwarding address, and in any event it might have changed again by the time you want to contact him. There are other ways of finding people if you really need to.

_Penny_Dreadful

dllive said:

Indeed. I really feel like I should get his forwarding address.  I will push the point a bit harder when I see him, or in an email. As you say, you would want to give your landlord a forwarding address so he can forward any post etc...

Yes, I will take photos of the meters on the last day. But how do I know what energy companies (internet, phone, electricity) he is with if theoretically - he wont tell me? Or do I not need to know who he's currently using as I only have to give these figures to the new companies?

The water company and council is straightforward, Im just not sure about how the internet/phone/electricity bills.

You can look up which utility company is supplying the gas and electricity yourself online. Telephone and internet provider is less important and the service is cut off as soon as the tenant’s account is closed. 

The tenant has no obligation to provide you with a forwarding address. You’ve asked twice and the tenant hasn’t provided it, take the hint. 

anselld

You need to contact the utilities anyway unless someone is moving in immediately because you need to take responsibility for the bill during any void period.  Just take the readings and tell them to open an account in your name from the day the tenant has left.
Same with the Council, you need to pay CT for empty days as most Councils do not offer empty discount these days.

jj_43

I am a tenant and a landlord. As a tenant I am probably busy, rather than thinking about reassuring the landlord. As a landlord I know that it’s a nice to have but I don’t tend to push the issue as it’s of no consequence. 

elsien

However, much you might want his forwarding address you can’t insist. It’s completely his choice as to whether he shares it with you or not. You have no rights here so need to rely on courtesy and a good reason for them to want to share it with you. 

If they’ve got any sense, they will have set up a postal redirection, so there is no need for you to be forwarding anything.
For utilities there won’t  be a new provider because you stay with the old one till you’re actively change -have you tried asking your tenant who they are with at the moment as that seems much the easiest way of getting the information.

dllive

Thanks guys. Ill go over later and have a chat with him.

la531983

dllive said:

Thanks guys. Ill go over later and have a chat with him.

Why? You have asked for it twice and he doesn't want to give it to you, from his point of view going round to ask for a 3rd time is bordering on harassment.