Tenant left big electric bill

dws_72

A tenant has left the flat he was renting owing me money and also his huge electric bill of around 3k, how the electric company let it get this big is neyond me (southern electric), any how the baliffs called a couple of days later to fit a card meter. when i rang to tell i dont know where the tentant is living they said the bill is my responability, so i sent them the tenancy agreement which started on the 12 of jan last year and they told me this was no good is it is only a six months shorthold and should be renewed every six months. surely this would lapse into a periodic tenancy and should be fine, in the meantime the tenant has rung them and told them he told me he was leaving so they want and end of tenancy letter otherwise they say the debt is mine even though he has told them he is responsible.
where do i stand with this... any ideas...!!

pawpurrs

You are not responsible, if the bills are in his name.

[Deleted User]

Who paid the council tax bills and all the other utility bills during that time?

dws_72

in his agreement it states he is responible for all bills, which hes not paid any, owes council tax which i have informed and also united utilities which i have also informed..

Incisor

dws_72 wrote: »

... so i sent them the tenancy agreement which started on the 12 of jan last year and they told me this was no good is it is only a six months shorthold and should be renewed every six months. surely this would lapse into a periodic tenancy and should be fine,

Well, of course if they can bully you into taking responsibility, that will suit them fine. But, they have no place telling you that the tenancy cannot run periodic. Was the tenancy ended properly or did he do a runner from you too?

dws_72

he just left..

[Deleted User]

So before you rented the place to him, you paid your bills in full and told Council, utilities companies etc. that you were moving out and Mr XYZ would be moving in instead? Or did you leave it up to him to contact them?
If the bills are in his name, you should not be responsible.

dws_72

i contacted everyone, they all had his name, council and united utilties said dont worry they will find him eventually, its just southern electric trying to say its my debt even though he has told them its his but he now has no fixed address

[Deleted User]

Inthat case, they have no leg to stand on. Ask to speak to a manager next time and explain that they unless this nonsense is sorted, you will no longer be their customer.

MoneySavingSpender

I'd love to know what on legal ground and basis Southern Electric tried to impose this bill upon you?

I wonder if that could be construed as fraud not to mention being a highly illegal act and that you will considering getting a Trading Standards investigator to look into this for you. Also might want to look at the energy watchdog.

Any bill that was in HIS name is only owed to by HIM, full stop.

dws_72

thanks for the replys ... will let you know..