Hi,
I’m coming up to the end of my first ever tenancy as a Landlord!
I am looking at an approximate 2 week period where my property will be empty in between tenancies (August 31st is the end of the current tenancy. September 15th is the start of the new one).
I really can’t be bothered with the faff of having the current tenants transfer all the council tax and utility bills in to my name just for 2 weeks, not least because the property is in my limited company’s name and I’d have to explain this to the accountant too.
So what do more experienced landlords recommend, I am thinking of 2 options:
Ask the current tenants to keep all the bills in their name until Sept 15th. I then refund them the council tax/utilities cost for the period Aug 31st → Sept 15th once the new tenancy has started.
Ask the new tenants to set up their bills ‘early’ from August 31st. I then deduct the cost of these bills from Aug 31st → Sept 15th from their first month’s rent. If this is the most feasible option, should I add this stipulation as a customizable clause in the agreement (I am using OpenRents’ own AST for this)?
No, no, no… Do it the correct way..
It is not difficult. When the tenants leave the meter readings are submitted to the suppliers. Then the new tenants do the same. In my experience the utility companies won’t bother billing the landlord for standing charges. However you will be billed for the Council Tax, just show it to your accountant, it’s a legitimate expense you can claim so there should be no need for any further explanation.
You have a limited company so you are not an accidental landlord, consider doing some basic training courses. A few hours online.
Just tell council and utilities when they have moved out and give readings to utilities. You get sent a bill. Then tell them again when new tenants move in.
It’s very straight forward, your idea is much more of a faff and not even factual.
Advise accountant it’s a cost just like any other cost.
Don’t ask the tenants to do anything.
You send a simple email to utilities & council tax when one tenant moves out, and another simple email when new tenants move in.
This has to be one of the simplest Landlord obligations, so if that is too much a faff… then you are in the wrong role.
I agree with the above. It must be standard practice for any landlord to inform ct and utility providers immediately on entry and exit of a tenant. Otherwise you leave yourself open to unexpected bills.