To ask this about moving into social housing and bills

[SidseBabettKnudsen]

After being on the list three years, we have finally been given a council house. Much relief as our current private rental is very unsafe for our complex SN kids. New house is adapted and safe.

We pick up the keys in a week or so, but obviously have to give notice on our private rental. On a rolling contract so I think maybe a month or two months? During this period we will have to pay both rents, which while tight, will be do-able if we use savings. Also have to find money to carpet throughout which is going to be tough.

But I need to know how to handle bills. Council tax for instance - do we have to pay for both if we aren't occupying one? And how does gas/electricity work? I have just changed suppliers so am in a 12 month contract with fixed monthly payments. Do I just switch on the day we stop occupying or will I need to pay the fixed monthly amount for both houses for maybe two months?

I'm sorry if I sound horribly naive, but have never actually moved houses before - moved straight out of my mum's and in with DH when I was 17!

Thank you!

Council Tax ask the council for a declaration form so you can apply for exemption on whichever house you aren't living in - probably the new one.

Gas/Electric, find out who the supplier is at the current place, call them and give them your details. Speak to your current provider, tell them you are moving and when and ask them to take over the supply at your new property and it shouldn't affect your fixed rate. Normally takes a couple of weeks to get things set up for gas and electric payments so you'll probably have a bit of breathing space there.

Sorry that should've said find out the provider at the new place!

If you get housing benefit you could try and ask your local council about a discretionary housing payment.

If it's a rolling contract it should be a months rent , when we moved into our housing association house three years ago the housing officer gave us one week rent free in my hosing association there are four weeks rent free.spread throughout the year so enquire about that?

Did you pay a deposit on your private rent? Will you get that back?

I signed over the bond to the private LL in your situation. It amounted to 6 weeks rent (I was liable for 4 weeks rent) and he was happy with that. Could that work for you? Would mitigate paying two rents but obviously you wouldn't receive your deposit back.
Call your suppliers for gas and electric as quickly as possible and let them know you'll be moving on X date, then when you move call the "current" supplier to the new place and do the same.

Sorry by do the same I mean call them and let them know you moved in, so they can then switch you over.

To answer your question on electricity - you will be liable to pay the electricity bill, including fixed charges, on your current property until the end of your tenancy i.e. until the end of your contract not the date that you move if earlier. Water will be the same.