Home | Mailing List | About Us

What happens to the Utilities?

Gas, Electricity and Water

The gas, electricity and water companies etc should be advised whenever the property is empty so that meters can be read and accounts prepared, even if this will only be for a relatively short period of time. We will do this for you on the initial letting and also each time there is a change of tenant or the property is to be empty for some other reason.

During these 'void' periods the utility services will be transferred back into your name but, assuming we are still under your instructions accounts will be made care of our office address. Normally we will be carrying forward some small sum in your rental account in respect of emergency maintenance etc but if for some reason at the time we did not hold any funds then of course we would forward the bills to you for settlement direct.

The tenant is obviously responsible for the gas, electricity and water/sewerage bills generated by their usage during the tenancy, including standing charges, but their liabilities in this respect clearly finish on the date of their vacation.

Telephone

Generally speaking telephone companies will not deal with third parties, though if you are to be residing abroad we may be able to assist. Otherwise you must inform British Telecom (or any other service provider as appropriate ) that you are leaving the property and advise them what you want to do with your existing number.

The tenants are responsible for arranging any line reconnections and meeting any costs associated with this. The tenancy agreement will forbid tenants from changing an existing number without your consent or indeed taking it with them at the end of the tenancy. However preventing this possibility by giving the provider clear instructions yourself in respect of a specific number is by far the best safeguard.

Council Tax

Council Tax is a property based tax operating in very broad terms like the old rating system but with payments determined by wide property price bands. Payment is therefore not the Landlord's responsibility whilst the entire property is let, however, if the property is let on a rooms basis, such as to students, no Council Tax will be payable as long as all the tenants are exempt from paying.

When an unfurnished property is unoccupied it is exempt for 6 months, then 50% of the Council Tax becomes payable. If empty and furnished then the 50% becomes payable immediately and throughout any void period between tenancies. If you still reside at the property whilst acting as a Landlord then you will remain responsible for the Council Tax charge. We will inform the Council Tax office of each and every change in occupancy.

There is a clear legal obligation on a property occupier to register for Council Tax and a specific clause in the tenancy agreement, to which we draw their attention, also clearly highlights the tenant's obligation to register for and pay Council Tax.

Factsheets that are available

Reference has been made to our fact-sheets at various points throughout this guide, and depending on how much we already know of your circumstances and the services you might require, some of the following fact-sheets may already be attached by way of an appendix. The full range of fact-sheets currently available is:

• Landlord Insurance products - legal costs and rent indemnity policies
• Landlord Insurance products - buildings and contents
• Gas Safety Regulations 1998
• Furniture and Furnishing Regulations 1993
• Electrical Safety Regulations 1994
• Smoke Detectors
• Taxation of Rental Income - all Landlords
• Taxation of Rental Income - Overseas Landlords
• Housing Benefit Tenants
• Council Tax
• Property Security
• Stamp Duty

« Back to the Landlords Guide

Let Your Property With Castle Estates - Glasgow

The level of service provided and relative legislation applicable may be subject to local and regional variations from that stated in the general brochure. Please contact us for full details and variations

As part of the Housing Scotland Act 2006 legislation has been introduced providing new rights for Private Sector Tenants through the Private Rented Housing Panel please click on following button for further details and information.

It is now a legal requirement to Register with your local authority as a Landlord and to avoid the neccessity of Castle Estates deducting tax from the rent received all Overseas Landlords must apply for a tax exemption certificate.

To assist you through the Overseas Tax and Landlord Registration process please follow the following Links which will allow you to either download or complete on line the necessary application forms. If you require any further assistance please contact us direct.

Click Link for Overseas Tax Information

Our Overseas Tax Number is:       NA032567