Chortlepuss

Hi
Is anyone renting their house in UK, experienced gaps in tenants and can tell me what should happen with utilities in between tenants? My tenants are vacating in Dec, and I'm refurbishing the property.
I have the property fully managed by an agency who are not always on top of things, so seem to need management themselves. I don't particularly want to have to pop back to sort things out if I can avoid it..
Many thanks!

Shard

Utilities and council tax go back into your name (unless you want to disconnect, which is not ideal when you want to re-let the flat). Don't worry, your tenants won't pay a day more than they have to!

mikelincs

Whenever we have moved we have always contacted the utilities people and told them of the leaving date and the name and address of the owner/agent for future bills, we also took meter readings for gas and electricity. In some places it is only possible for the water company to take readings, so they may want to ask them as well, this ensures that we, the tenants, only paid for what we used. It's vital that the agents are on the ball over this as tenants really don't like to receive bills that have accrued after they have left..

bingobob777

If your refurbishing in the middle of December I assume you'll need heat and light, so the utilities will need to go into your name.

I suggest you get a new letting agent, what's the point of paying someone if they don't do the job?

renth

Check your insurance too as some policies don't cover you if the house is empty for longer than certain time periods.

Chortlepuss

Cheers for replies, I'm paying full managed service to agency so they should be all over it but don't want to disconnect as it's winter and I'm re-furbishing. I want to avoid flying out - hopefully can do most of this remotely!

Chortlepuss

Sadly, I think mine's the best of a bad bunch where I'm from - they do get things done, I just wish I didn't need to manage them so closely

Techno Freak

Check with your council for council tax concessions on empty properties. Our council gave you 6 months without having to pay council tax if the property was un-occupied, as long as it was also unfurnished....and they do check (by coming round and peering through your windows), so shift all your furniture upstairs or keep your curtains closed!