How Long?

[spathiphyllum]

after getting keys for a rented property how long after do you need to apply for council tax and water / gass etc?

Do you do it instantly or do they give you some time?

Obviously priority is making the home habitable but should we apply for these before you officially live there?

[ummmm]

As soon as you move in.

[spathiphyllum]

So the day 'i' get in, 'i' need to collect all the readings of all the meters and then ring up water / gass electric companies?

[spathiphyllum]

As soon as i enter kind of thing?

[Hopkirk]

Take meter readings, and as a precaution photographs of the meter readings (electric, gas and water) as soon as you get access. If possible get the landlord or letting agent to record them as well.

As soon as you can, contact the providers and give them the moving in date and meter readings.

[spathiphyllum]

Will their be already set providers or do i get to pick who i would like to go with?

[Jordyboy9]

Spath my friend take the gas and electric readings soon as you can,you don’t want to be charged for what the previous tenants used

[Ken4155]

From the day your rent agreement begins, spath.

[spathiphyllum]

Thank you everyone seems instead of putting on a new loo seat i shall be taking readings and spending my days on the internet

[jackthehat]

///Will their be already set providers or do i get to pick who i would like to go with? ///

Your Landlord ought to be able to confirm who supplies the property. You'll need to confirm whether he will allow you to change providers.

[Hopkirk]

I don't think he can stop you, Jack.

[jackthehat]

I'd imagine he can't, hoppy but as a first-time renter, spath needs to make sure that he crosses all the 'Ts' and dots all the 'Is'.

[spathiphyllum]

"Your Landlord ought to be able to confirm who supplies the property. You'll need to confirm whether he will allow you to change providers."

Ah OK cool, that makes it a tad easier if i'm honest.. I assume the finances don't go through him/ her though?

[Barmaid]

If the tenancy agreement doesn't mention supplier ypu can change. Beware of letting agents who sign you up with their chosen company and make it "sound like" you have no choice.

[spathiphyllum]

Yeahh i will do.. They love getting any £ they can

[Hopkirk]

As long as you have the meter readings you don't have to contact the suppliers immediately. Any time in the first few days will do.

[spathiphyllum]

Interesting.. Will double check with agents anyhow but thanks for the advice

[alavahalf]

..... dont forget to change the locks ..

[spathiphyllum]

I said this to the Ms.. Is this allowed?

even in a rented accommodation?

[Peter Pedant]

I thought CT was not payable on an uninahbitable property
see and start at
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/council-tax-domestic-properties-in-disrepair-or-derelict

I havent read the document - if it has a working bog a dwelling unit is usually habitable - the rules are likely to strict

otherwise within a week or two - they dont worry so long as the CT line is continuous - that is they dont miss out on CT from the gap ....

I do this on the day the tenant moves in as companies and council are so likely to double charge and then say "oops!"

recenlty I had accounts for the same property for me, the new occupier and the named tenant - triple CT - great work if you can get it.

[Barmaid]

Normally when you register for CT you are asked to confirm a) the start date of your tenancy and b) the day you moved in. They will back calculate it. They often also ask for the LL or Agent details or a copy of the tenancy agreement. (Although on this latter point, I told them to get knotted in my last place!)

In my last place I didnt have internet for the first month (not entirely sure how I coped) and I reckon that was one of the first things I did after that.