Council tax - moving out before tenancy ends

lincroft1710

housebuyer143 said:

lincroft1710 said:

housebuyer143 said:

moneytipshelp39 said:

Mark_d said:

user1977 said:

You're responsible for all the bills until the end of your tenancy (whether that's the contractual end date or an earlier date agreed with your landlord), it doesn't matter whether you're living there or not.

When the old tenant moves out and the new one moves in, does the new tenant not take over responsibility for bills as part of their tenancy agreement?

That was my understanding as well. The new tenant won't know when my end of tenancy date is, and they should start paying for bills from the day they move in...

You are responsible but if you call the council and tell them you have left and the property will be empty of your belongings until the new tenant moves in, they may offer an exemption. Lots of councils do not charge if the property is empty and unfurnished.

With many councils in financial difficulties, they are tending not to do this anymore

Mine still does so I mention it so that OP checks. Not worth missing out on it if they do it. 

Always worth checking, but OP shouldn't be too optimistic. At one time all councils offered exemption for empty properties, but a change in the law a few years ago gave the power to individual councils to offer between 0% to 100% exemption

moneytipshelp39

Thanks to all for the replies.

So, if I understood correctly, I should only be paying until the new tenant moves in, correct?

And regarding rent... My rent is due by the 9th but I'm paying for 3 extra days, as I gave my notice on the 12th. Now it looks the new tenant would be moving in on the 7th (I'm leaving a few days before). So, if landlords are not allowed to receive rent for the same period of time, should I be requesting a refund to the agency? Is there any specific regulation that stipulates this? So that I can quote it to them and request that refund.

Thank you so much!  

user1977

Easiest way of controlling it is not to give your keys back until the contractual date...if the landlord wants somebody else in earlier, they can ask you.

Bookworm105

moneytipshelp39 said:

Thanks to all for the replies.
So, if I understood correctly, I should only be paying until the new tenant moves in, correct?
 

in essence yes. The council cannot charge council tax on two different people for an overlapping period 

however, if your tenancy contract actually ends before new tenants move in, and, crucially, you have physically vacated the property at the end of your tenancy, then your CT liability ends and it is the LL (non resident property owner) who would be liable.

if you remain resident after the tenancy ends (effectively become a squatter) you remain liable.

if you vacate before the end of the tenancy you remain liable to date of the tenancy end, unless a new person takes up residence.

council tax follows a rigid hierarchy of liability defined in law which starts with who is occupying the property and ends with its non resident owner

ciderboy2009

Just to add a bit; bear in mind that you'll also be liable for the daily standing charge for gas & electricity until the new tenant starts paying it - even if gas/electricity is not being used.

km1500

moneytipshelp39 said:

Thanks to all for the replies.

So, if I understood correctly, I should only be paying until the new tenant moves in, correct?

And regarding rent... My rent is due by the 9th but I'm paying for 3 extra days, as I gave my notice on the 12th. Now it looks the new tenant would be moving in on the 7th (I'm leaving a few days before). So, if landlords are not allowed to receive rent for the same period of time, should I be requesting a refund to the agency? Is there any specific regulation that stipulates this? So that I can quote it to them and request that refund.

Thank you so much!  

don't want to be pedantic but it is not when the new tenant 'moves in' it is when the new tenancy contract starts and thus yours ends

obviously these two dates are probably normally the same 

Bookworm105

km1500 said:

moneytipshelp39 said:

Thanks to all for the replies.

So, if I understood correctly, I should only be paying until the new tenant moves in, correct?

And regarding rent... My rent is due by the 9th but I'm paying for 3 extra days, as I gave my notice on the 12th. Now it looks the new tenant would be moving in on the 7th (I'm leaving a few days before). So, if landlords are not allowed to receive rent for the same period of time, should I be requesting a refund to the agency? Is there any specific regulation that stipulates this? So that I can quote it to them and request that refund.

Thank you so much!  

don't want to be pedantic but it is not when the new tenant 'moves in' it is when the new tenancy contract starts and thus yours ends

obviously these two dates are probably normally the same 

his contract ends when it ends
the start of the new contract may have a void period in between during which time CT liability rests with either a resident occupant (squatter) or the non resident owner (landlord) 

ReadySteadyPop

housebuyer143 said:

moneytipshelp39 said:

Mark_d said:

user1977 said:

You're responsible for all the bills until the end of your tenancy (whether that's the contractual end date or an earlier date agreed with your landlord), it doesn't matter whether you're living there or not.

When the old tenant moves out and the new one moves in, does the new tenant not take over responsibility for bills as part of their tenancy agreement?

That was my understanding as well. The new tenant won't know when my end of tenancy date is, and they should start paying for bills from the day they move in...

You are responsible but if you call the council and tell them you have left and the property will be empty of your belongings until the new tenant moves in, they may offer an exemption. Lots of councils do not charge if the property is empty and unfurnished.

Not sure about that, more and more councils are actually doubling council tax on empty property.

ReadySteadyPop

housebuyer143 said:

lincroft1710 said:

housebuyer143 said:

moneytipshelp39 said:

Mark_d said:

user1977 said:

You're responsible for all the bills until the end of your tenancy (whether that's the contractual end date or an earlier date agreed with your landlord), it doesn't matter whether you're living there or not.

When the old tenant moves out and the new one moves in, does the new tenant not take over responsibility for bills as part of their tenancy agreement?

That was my understanding as well. The new tenant won't know when my end of tenancy date is, and they should start paying for bills from the day they move in...

You are responsible but if you call the council and tell them you have left and the property will be empty of your belongings until the new tenant moves in, they may offer an exemption. Lots of councils do not charge if the property is empty and unfurnished.

With many councils in financial difficulties, they are tending not to do this anymore

Mine still does so I mention it so that OP checks. Not worth missing out on it if they do it. 

That would mainly affect the landlord though?