Bought a flat, now selling it, electricity/gas?

Pulsedriver

Pulsedriver

Pulsedriver

Soldato
Joined
19 Dec 2003
Posts
3,112
Location
UK
Hey folks,

Long story but bought a flat but due to a massive circumstance change I am now selling it without actually moving in.

Question is, I did take meter readings the other day, is it actually worth me signing up to a dual fuel gas/electric company even though I am not actually going to live there and am hoping to sell it as soon as possible? Apart from turning the light on for about 2 minutes when I was in there picking up post of an evening last week I haven't used anything - and the water is OFF and hasn't been on since I got the keys.

Unfortunately im having to pay a council tax bill every month even though im not there but there did not appear to be any 2 ways about that - but the gas/electric im wondering about?

Not so much is it 'worth' it, but is it legally obliging to do so?
 
All I got from the council office was 'no, you've still gotta pay it in full, sorry'

I don't mind paying something obviously, as I still officially own the property but it's a bit of a mick take paying the full amount per month when im not even there or using any kind of council-charging facility.
 
You can get 6 months free council tax if you are not living there but after that you have to pay unless it is not fit to live in EG you are renovating it. There may be other conditions, I'm not sure. Maybe you have to be paying council tax elsewhere not living with parents etc
 
Properties which may be exempt include:

property which is empty. This means it has to be unoccupied. The property also has to be substantially unfurnished. The exemption applies for a maximum of six months and the property has to be vacant for the whole of this period (although up to six weeks of occupation during the period is allowed)

taken from http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/index...ouncil_tax.htm#Propertiesexemptfromcounciltax

it doesnt really make sence that you have to pay if the house is empty imho.

Also, I wouldnt bother changing over the gas/electric from the previous owner if you are planning on selling let them do that if they want to when they move in. Sometimes a company want to tie you into a minimum deal and since you are selling it might be another issue for any potential buyer.
 
We've had a flat empty for 2 years in Glasgow, due to cold winters (we're not through the worst yet) I'd suggest looking for a gas/elec supplier who allows you to pay less on standard charges and more per unit etc.

Also ensure you're buildings insurance is correct- they HAVE to know that it's vacant or the insurance can be invalid should you claim (which won't sit well with any finance you have against the house!).

Good luck selling! We've only just started getting viewings and we're right next to a new velodrome for the commonwealth games!
 
There's only one 6 month exemption period allowed for empty property.

If the previous owner/builder used up the 6 month exemption then you won't be able to claim anything.

You don't get a new 6 month period starting from when you bought the property.

The local council also have a discretion on how much Council Tax you pay on empty property.

The discount can be as high as 50% or as little as nothing.
 
They charged me 50% Council tax for the house we live in now when we bought it.
Was best part of 2 months it went unlived in due to us needing to see out the contract elsewhere. 50%!!! robbing basts :(
 
We had to pay 100% for 3 months on the new house due to it being partially furnished etc etc. I don't mind now that I've lived here a bit as the council services are utterly brilliant (can't say the same for Glasgow..)
 
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