If you own multiple properties and one or more of them are likely to be vacant at any given time, our Real Estate Flex offer could be right for you.
Are you a tenant?
If you think you’re being incorrectly billed by us and your landlord, there are steps you can follow.
The rules around vacant properties
Vacant properties in Scotland
- If you're a tenant and you’re being billed for a property that’s now vacant or due to become vacant, give us the landlord’s details and we’ll direct the bills to them.
- If you're the landlord and there's no tenant in the property, you’ll be liable for the bills until the property is occupied, so please continue to pay them in the meantime.
- If you're the landlord and there’s a tenant in the property, give us the details of the tenant and we’ll direct the bills to them.
Vacant properties in England
In England, some wholesalers (water companies) apply volumetric charges for vacant premises, so please provide as much detail as you can in the form below. We’ll make the necessary adjustments and keep you informed.
Why are the rules different in Scotland?
The Scottish Government removed the water charge exemption for vacant properties from April 2017. This change was made because all properties, including vacant premises, rely on the services provided by Scottish Water (particularly drainage charges).
All non-domestic properties, regardless of occupancy status, are now liable for water, sewerage and drainage charges. This means that it’s the responsibility of a property’s owner, or their appointed landlord, to pay these charges whilst the property is vacant.
The charges include:
- Fixed water and waste water charges.
- Roads and surface drainage.
- Plus any volumetric charges if the property has a meter.
Drainage charges (and fixed charges for unmetered properties) are based on the rateable value of the property. Fixed charges for metered properties are based on the size of the meter.
How long ago did your property become vacant?
If you think you’ve been billed incorrectly, please let us know and we’ll look into it. Depending on the circumstances, we may require evidence of the date the property became vacant.
FAQs
The Scottish Government made the decision to remove the previous water charge exemption for vacant properties from April 2017. This change came into effect as all properties, including vacant premises, rely on the services provided by Scottish Water (particularly drainage charges).
Since 1 April 2017, all non-domestic properties regardless of occupancy status have been liable for water, sewerage and drainage charges. This means that it’s the responsibility of a property’s owner, or their appointed landlord, to pay these charges whilst the property is vacant.
The elements of your charges will include a charge for fixed water and waste water; roads and surface drainage plus any volumetric charges (if you have a meter and use any water in the property).
Your drainage charges (and fixed charges for unmetered properties) will be based on the rateable value of the property. Fixed charges for metered properties will be based on the size of the meter.
No. All properties connected to public water mains/sewers are required to pay charges regardless of the condition or listing.
You can find information on water and waste water charges in Scotland and England here.
Yes. As the decision to charge for water and waste water at vacant properties came from the Scottish Government, you will be charged for these services regardless of your licensed provider (water supplier).
Yes. Properties can be disconnected from water and waste water services. Advice on the costs and processes for disconnection should be sought from licensed providers (suppliers) like Business Stream.
All disconnections are permanent and are, in general, only suitable for properties which are expected to be demolished. If a water supply and/or a sewerage connection is required at some date in the future, the property owner will need to meet the costs of connecting to Scottish Water’s water mains and sewers.
If your property is connected to public water mains and/or sewerage, you are required to pay for services whether or not you use water or flush water down the drains. As your licensed provider (supplier), we are required to pursue this debt.
It became mandatory from 1 January 2017 for owners/landlords to notify any change of occupancy to their licensed provider (supplier). If they do not, they will become jointly and severally liable for any relevant water and sewerage charges with the occupier.
Owners may contact their licensed providers (supplier) directly or use the landlord portal to report changes of occupancy. The landlord portal enables owners to track the changes easily for all of the properties that they own.
Yes, if you have a meter installed we’ll schedule to read this twice a year. You can also submit a meter reading online here or via My Business Stream. It’s important we read this to ensure you’re charged correctly for any volumetric consumption that goes through the meter. However, as the property is vacant this should be minimal.
If you’ve signed up to Real Estate Flex or don’t have a meter installed, you’ll receive your bills monthly. If you have a meter installed you’ll receive bills on a quarterly basis.