UK Landlord Forum / Life

hi guys,

just wanted to run this past you to see where I stand.

On every tenancy agreement for my rental property it states tenants must register with local authority for their council tax. I personally remind them in person and by email that they should register their start of tenancy with Glasgow city council.

I have a new tenant moving in 31/3/18 and the place has been empty since last tenant moved out 6/3/18.

Glasgow city council have sent me the bill for upcoming year. I have advised them on new tenant move in date and advised my new tenant to further back this up.

they have however advised me to provide the names of previous  tenants dating back to 2013 including their onward corresponding address'.

Now, from what I can see I am not obliged to provide this information as it was the tenants at the time who should have registered with the council no matter what issue Glasgow city council have.  I do not have any details of where these tenants went either- who would ever ask for this?

they are being extremely awkward and saying I am liable for upcoming year (even though they know the new tenant moves in) and won't look to bill this tenant until I provide previous tenants details including onward address'?

any advice?

Yes, I could advise you what to say to the council,but I would probably be barred from this forum.Unless the laws are very different in Scotland,you have no obligation to get involved.They are trying it on.Whether managing my properties myself,or using an agent,I have always made a point of giving the details to the council when changes take place.That is my choice however.My council,Warwick District,have been like this at times.A lot depends on the person you get,some hate private landlords.If they persist,tell them you are going to lodge a complaint through your town councillor or M.P.I ended up doing this when they added the debt of a previous tenant onto my personal home council tax bill,and threatened court action if I refused to pay. 

Likewise, I always make a point of giving the Council these details. You used to need to phone them up and talk to a person (!) but now it's either an email or a web form. I do the same with the utilities. I think to myself - why wouldn't I? It's a small job and it helps to protect me.

Thus far, I have never had a problem. I pay for the times I am liable and the Tenants pay for the time they are. I always get a forwarding address when a Tenant moves on, obviously.

I would be interested in what periods your Council think have not been paid for... surely not since 2013, therefore this information would be of no value for them.

Quote from: heavykarma on March 22, 2018, 01:06:49 PMYes, I could advise you what to say to the council,but I would probably be barred from this forum.

No, you wouldn't.

Thanks for the tip Hippogriff..I'll bear that in mind in future.
BWIL-Are they trying to say no one has paid since 2013? I would tell them you are not being paid to act as their debt collectors.

It seems they are trying to track every tenant that's lived in the property so yes, I presume debt collecting.
they asked for dates of departure for a few tenants who lived there in 2013. They have up to date records for previous 3 sets of tenants. I don't understand the awkward nature of the correspondence i'm receiving, 'we'll only be able to update on new tenants when provided with details from these previous tenants who moved out 5 years ago?
They also advised I should pay for the whole year now, and seek refund when the new tenant is in ? surely this is madness. They know place is empty (ive sent photos of empty flat) so exempt for any type of council tax until next let. My previous tenants also paid for the entire year when they were there and therefore this month has already been paid by them. They have added this month to the bill for next yr also? even though its already been paid by my old tenants. the tenants who moved out are happy with this and do not expect to be refunded. but why should I pay for this month again/ its exempt as unfurnished and not let also. Just seems absolute awkwardness fromGlasgow city council causing extra stress and really no need for it.