When your tenants move out...

FlorayG · 27 Jan 20, 03:01 PM

...how are services contacted? My first ever tenants are leaving soon and I'm not planning to let the house again for a while. So the tenants will inform gas, electric, telephone and council tax they are going and the date. Do I have to contact all of these and say I am now responsible? What happens if I don't? Can the electric and 'phone just be temporarily disconnected so I have no standing charge (need the gas to keep it heated)
this is all new to me

Gryff · 27 Jan 20, 03:08 PM

You just send in readings when they move in your name date and time
You resume responsibility
Telephone can be disconnected
Gas/ electric will both need to be on for heating to work
Contact council tax to say it�s unoccupied same with insurance companies

dee slack · 28 Jan 20, 07:14 PM

as above, make sure your insurance company is notified as some will impose certain restrictions on empty properties, otherwise you may not be covered in case of a claim.

Willyeckerslike · 29 Jan 20, 11:30 PM

You will need to keep electric on to power the boiler for heating unless you have an alternative heating system. Make sure yours and your tenants final meter readings are the same. You will be liable for council tax after 4 weeks. You will also need to go into the property regularly to flush the wc and run the taps for Legionella purposes.

**Floridarules** · 30 Jan 20, 12:08 AM

TV license too, dependent on council, you may still need to pay the council tax in any case. Some don�t allow reductions even if empty.

Pino_Spetzberg · 30 Jan 20, 01:52 PM

Originally Posted by Floridarules

TV license too

Worth checking, but tenants will probably take any TV with them and cancel their own direct debit.
Recently fewer tenants have a TV, or a TV Licence, so it's not an issue for us.

Pinchy · 30 Jan 20, 03:01 PM

I used to have great insurance cover for some of my empty properties but they wanted heating left on low but water turned off at the mains. That was always a pain. Anyway the point is that it's important to check these details with insurers for empty properties.

FlorayG · 31 Jan 20, 04:21 PM

My landlord's insurance actually runs out the day they leave and I don't plan to let it again straight away - any advice on what insurance to get on it in the meanwhile while I decide whether to let it again or move into it myself?

**Floridarules** · 2 Feb 20, 11:33 AM

Originally Posted by Pino_Spetzberg

Worth checking, but tenants will probably take any TV with them and cancel their own direct debit.
Recently fewer tenants have a TV, or a TV Licence, so it's not an issue for us.

The op stated that the house would not be let for a while therefore empty, in which case TV licensing would need to be informed to avoid confusion.

29 Jan 20, 11:30 PM	#4
	29 Jan 20, 11:30 PM Willyeckerslike Trying for More Ears
Willyeckerslike Trying for More Ears Join Date: Feb 14	You will need to keep electric on to power the boiler for heating unless you have an alternative heating system. Make sure yours and your tenants final meter readings are the same. You will be liable for council tax after 4 weeks. You will also need to go into the property regularly to flush the wc and run the taps for Legionella purposes.

30 Jan 20, 03:01 PM	#7
	30 Jan 20, 03:01 PM Pinchy Imagineer
Pinchy Imagineer Join Date: Nov 07	I used to have great insurance cover for some of my empty properties but they wanted heating left on low but water turned off at the mains. That was always a pain. Anyway the point is that it's important to check these details with insurers for empty properties.