A tenant's guide - your budget
When you are planning your budget for a new rental home, it is important to factor in the cost of council tax, utility bills and insurance in addition to your monthly rent.
If you have any questions, or would like to find out more about renting a property through Rettie & Co, please get in touch with our team.
Council tax
Unless you are a full time student, all tenants must pay council tax. There are different price bands depending on the location and size of the property you live in. Rettie & Co will write to the Council Tax department on your behalf to inform them that you are the new occupant of the property, so it is one less thing for you to worry about. The Council will contact you directly to set up a payment plan. Usually tenants set up a direct debit with the Council, but there are other options.
Visit your Council’s website for more information. Details for Edinburgh, Glasgow and the Borders can be found at:
Utility bills
You will be responsible for paying the gas and electricity bills for the property whilst you are living there. If the property is managed by Rettie & Co we will take gas and electricity meter readings prior to you moving in and inform the utility providers that you are the new occupant. They will contact you thereafter so that you can set up a direct debit. You are entitled to change your utility supplier during your tenancy if you wish; we just ask that you let us know who you have changed to.
Insurance
Rettie & Co are not affiliated with any insurance companies and therefore do not get involved with this aspect of letting, however we do ask our landlords to take out buildings and contents insurance for their own possessions, and recommend tenants insure their personal belongings and take out insurance in connection with public liability and accidental damage to the landlord’s possessions.
If you have any questions, or would like to find out more about renting a property through Rettie & Co, please get in touch with our team.
