Do I pay council tax on a rented house?

Hi all,

If I rent a (detached/semi-detached 4 bedroom) house, am I responsible for paying the council tax? What other expenses should I keep in mind in addition to the advertised rent?

BTW, I am looking for preferably a 4-bedroom house within a 10 mile radius of Guildford Surrey. I will use an estate agent on arrival for the house-hunt, but will welcome any leads on houses available.

Thanks!

Yes you will be responsible for the council tax.  You will also pay water rates, gas, electricity, telephone and if you have a TV you will need a TV licence. 

You have to pay council tax only if it's in the tenancy agreement. Sometimes - although rarely these days - you can find a place to rent that includes council tax. 

For a 4 bedroom in the area you mention - be prepared for a hefty council tax payment every month!

It is the person who lives in the house who is legally responsible, not the owner, that's why landlords rarely include it in the rent.

It's kind of weird on the council tax.  For a rented house it is most definitely the occupier who is liable to pay.  If a house is left empty for some months though, there is an exemption period (6 months?), after which the council then claims that the owner must pay the tax.    The whole thing is a horrible mixed up legacy of the change from rates, via the poll-tax fiasco, to council tax.

You will also pay water rates,

Which will include sewer charges if the house is so equipped, otherwise you will probably be responsible for having the septic tank emptied should it be necessary.

Although in some areas, the water & sewerage are included in the council tax.
It just depends where you are...

Although in some areas, the water & sewerage are included in the council tax.

I remember you mentioning that in another thread. 

A quick search on the net seems to suggest that this is the norm in Scotland.    I guess that's why we "Sassenachs" have never heard of it before!   

Oh sorry!
I didnt realise it was only in Scotland!! 

I lived in Glasgow, in a rented flat where the council tax was paid by the landlord... then moved to London, where i paid council tax *and* water rates.  Then back to Scotland,  where i was shocked to find that my council tax was even higher than it was in London... but i relaxed a bit when i found out that it included water!

Hey, that's something new I've learned today as well. 

There are quite a number of differences between Scotland and England in the way things are done.    From what I found in my brief search, it seems that the councils in Scotland are required by law to collect the water charges and pass them on.   

By the way, refuse collection is included in the council tax, although sometimes there are extra charges applied for garden waste (at least that's how it works in England  ).