Council Tax Responsibility and risky advice to tenant by CAB

Council Tax Responsibility and risky advice to tenant by CAB

21:54 PM, 1st June 2013, About 12 years ago 36

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Council Tax ResponsibilityCitizens Advice apparently advised my periodic tenant yesterday that she can move out immediately by signing a letter agreeing to DPS releasing the deposit to me. I suppose, technically, she has given her one month notice and paid her final month’s rent in the form of the deposit.

She is at liberty to vacate any time during that one month notice period.

I can complain that she is not supposed to use the deposit to pay the final month’s rent but then what can I do about it that isn’t counter productive?

I thought CAB a bit irresponsible with their advice but then I don’t know what was said.

Meanwhile, now that the tenant has physically vacated (on the same day of giving notice), who is responsible for the Council Tax during that one month notice period?

Sam


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Mark Leach

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16:26 PM, 4th June 2013, About 12 years ago

The comment from from the lady who mentioned caused by dilapidations has stirred me into making another comment. How about the damage caused if the gutter is not cleared immediately or properly, rain running down a building will cause damp in the building. What about if you are the freeholder of a converted building with a content of two or more separate flats do you suggest the individual flat tenants take turns to pay for the gutters to be cleared. The pragmatic decision here is for the LL to do the work including drains, blocked sinks etc etc and consider these costs in future rent increases.

Mark Alexander - Founder of Property118

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16:34 PM, 4th June 2013, About 12 years ago

@Mark Leach - if you own a flat there should be a management company who would be responsible.

Mark Leach

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16:45 PM, 4th June 2013, About 12 years ago

Hi Mark,
Good site you have even stired me out of my chair!!
No management company we are a Ltd company ourselves and my son and I manage maintain collect rent and clean up after tenants ourselves with the help of a good team of builders plumbers etc mostly not vat registered to help us. Also we don't use agents we vet all our own tenants who usually stay with us long term so by looking after them sensibly we have very few void periods.

Alex Williams

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23:11 PM, 9th June 2013, About 12 years ago

"The landlord has an obligation to relet however that’s not relevant to this discussion"

As an aside, I am pretty sure the LL does not have an obligation to re-let. I am pretty sure I read (in the times court bit) a case about just this some years back and it may surprise people (as it does not appear fair) but I don't think the LL has to do anything of the sort.

Don't take this as cast in stone, but from memory I think the case is as I state.

Yvonne B.

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17:29 PM, 10th June 2013, About 12 years ago

I have the same problem with numerous tenants, I emailed my local council regarding who is liable when a contract is still in force and they say the tenant is still liable up until the contract has ended or a new tenant has moved in.
Therefore your tenant has given & paid 1 months notice and therefore is in contract for another month.

Lynette Morris

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23:05 PM, 15th June 2013, About 12 years ago

If your tenant has given a months notice, even if they choose to vacate earlier and not see out their month they are legally liable for council tax. I have had similar situations and provided the council with all relevant paperwork , and they have billed the tenant for the notice period without argument. Hope this helps.

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