What if my housemates don't pay..?

lukige_uk

Hi, I've lived in a shared house (rented) for 18 months now and have just had my first water bill through - it's over £1000. Ouch. I'd always assumed my landlord payed the water as this is the way it has always been in the past. But apparently not!

The trouble is, my housemates are notorious for not paying their share of the bills on time and I'm worried that when we all go our seperate ways 6 months from now, I'll have paid my share of the water bill and they won't have. I have a feeling they will just drop off the face of the earth and not pay at all. If this is the case, will l be legally responsible for the remaining debt? Is there any way of paying my share, then having my name removed from the bill? I can't see a way around this, and I really don't want to give my name to United Utilities if it's going to end up damaging my credit rating.

I just wondered if anyone had any ideas. What do you do if you live with people who are on the dole and can't/won't pay their share??

Cheers, Luke.

macman

If all your names are on the bills, then you are all jointly and severally liable. You can't pay 'your share' only, as you are all liable for the full amount. If it isn't paid, UU wil just come after the first name they can get hold of. They don't care who pays it.
If yours is the only name on the bill, then of course you are 100% liable anyway.
You can't remove your individual name from the account or associate a part payment with your name only.

chelms38

lukige_uk wrote: »

Hi, I've lived in a shared house (rented) for 18 months now and have just had my first water bill through - it's over £1000. Ouch. I'd always assumed my landlord payed the water as this is the way it has always been in the past. But apparently not!

The trouble is, my housemates are notorious for not paying their share of the bills on time and I'm worried that when we all go our seperate ways 6 months from now, I'll have paid my share of the water bill and they won't have. I have a feeling they will just drop off the face of the earth and not pay at all. If this is the case, will l be legally responsible for the remaining debt? Is there any way of paying my share, then having my name removed from the bill? I can't see a way around this, and I really don't want to give my name to United Utilities if it's going to end up damaging my credit rating.

I just wondered if anyone had any ideas. What do you do if you live with people who are on the dole and can't/won't pay their share??

Cheers, Luke.

If you don't think the others will pay their share then get in touch with landlord before you all go your seperate ways otherwise he will track you all down.

macman

It's nothing to do with the landord, the account appears to be jointly in the names of the tenants-the landlord has no liability for any debt during their tenancy.

*miaomiao*

Speaking from experience of being in the same situation: take your name off the bills now.
This kind of situation rarely ends well as some people think it's okay to live off others while finding all the excuses they possibly can.
Why don't you chat with Shelter (they do housing advice in general, not only for those at risk) and with your local Citizen's Advice Bureau. They might suggest that either the bills are in your landlord's name or that you get a seperate agreement in writing as to how much of the bills you pay (you could get this just between you and your landlord if your other housemates don't agree, ie. you amend your lease with your landlord's permission and signature to state that you are liable for 1/4 of the utilities, etc OR each person in the house can have one utility bill in their name.)
Good luck.

*miaomiao*

BTW - whatever you do, get this in writing and signed by all parties and then keep a copy safe.