Transferring Utility Services When New Tenants Move In
25 Sep 2008
Some times a landlord is so keen just to get tenants in they often neglect the responsibilities that come with being a landlord once a tenant has moved in. I wish being a landlord was as easy as, “Old tenants out, new tenants in”. It’s a trap I see a lot of landlords fall into, and consequently it ends up costing them.
Yesterday I had new tenants move into a property; the previous tenants handed their keys in the day before. As soon as the new tenants moved in, I was on the phone, transferring all the utility information over to my new tenants.
Ultimately, it should be the tenants responsibility, but I wouldn’t count on that. So, this is just a quick reminder for all you landlords to remember to switch the necessary accounts over as soon as your new tenants move in, or even a few days before, otherwise you could find yourself with some unexpected bills.
The Utilities
- Water
- Gas & electricity
- Council Tax
Your first step should be to make sure your previous tenants have canceled/transferred all their extra luxuries like telephone lines and Digital TV. That’s probably worth doing before the tenants’ move out.
Don’t rely on tenants
Seriously, don’t rely on tenants to handle any of the transfers. I’ve trusted a previous tenant to do it all before. The shit for brains lied to me, and I ended up going through a lot of unnecessary hassle. I ended up with a council tax bill and a £150 gas and electricity bill.
Even if my new tenants say, “yeah, I’ve transferred everything over to my name”- I don’t believe them. It’s nothing personal, it’s just business! I call up all the providers and double check that everything is done properly.
I advise all landlords to do the same. Don’t be a fool, don’t trust your tenants
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Talk / 10 Comments left so far
You sound extremely naive. I've had good and bad tenants. There are some people out there that will walk all over you, regardless of how nice you treat them.
Kind regards
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If I had someone treating me like a child, wiping my arse and contacting the council and utility companies I would want to flay them. I now have a very honed "shitlandlordometer" and I am afraid The Landlord that this article has increased your score some.
It is naive to suggest that Shrona is naive...she is just a human with some dignity. My naivity may show through here...if the tenant has signed an agreement with you...why the hell were you liable for anything while they legally occupied your gaff? I am genuinely interested in that. Why didn't you take the fuckers to court...or tell the council and utility companies to go and fuck themselves since you surely cannot be liable for these costs.
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tenants will screw you over if given the chance.
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I have been a tenant for 9 years and guess what! I don't want CCJ's against my name or a shit credit rating. And that means sorting out ALL utilities, telephone, internet and any other service provider out there. If my landlord tried to interfere I would shove a rocket up his or her arse (except my current one who is lovely).
As for leaving stuff in the place, that's what deposits and dustbins are for (I am sure you have charged through the nose for cleaning up crumbs from a kitchen surface, so I guess you can just bin all of their stuff and charge them a £100 fee for the 10 hours it took one of your hairy mates).
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How do you know they aren't the exception? How do you know they are the norm? What possible evidence do you have to back up your claim? It is this kind of baseless slur that makes people hate your ilk: landlords/ladies with an entitlement complex who think tenants exist to pay rent and shut up. Nobody forced you to rent out a property.
And no. I am not a saint. I just have respect for my landlord's property and they have respect for me as a tenant. Try it. It works wonders.
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None of the things I mentioned ARE landlord responsibilities are they?? You are very rude. I have every right to state my problem with my tenants here without your rudeness it is quite uncalled for.
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TB
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I initially started this website because I wanted to document my every step from property idiot to property landlord,
in hope that people would find my site and help me along the way. I literally didn't have a clue about being a landlord
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