Bills in Joint names?

Sensible_Jess

Hi
I bought a house with my partner in March:T. Previously we'd both owned houses separately, which we sold to buy one together (mine first and then his).

The problem I have is that ALL of the utility bills (bar the council tax and mortgage) have been placed in his name only, not our joint names. Presumably this was historcal as me moved from his house to this one so the accounts were transferred. This is despite sending corrections in writing to said companies and the fact that the payments come from a current account which is in both our names.

I'm getting quite annoyed about this as on a practical level the companies won't deal with me on a day-to day level as I'm 'not the named person on the bill'. Also, on occasion, you need to produce utility bills in your name for ID purposes.

I was actually told by Virgin Media that 'our system doesn't allow for two names on the account'.
It's the 21st century, and companies should be able to cope with two names on a household bill!:mad:

I'm tempted to close ALL of the accounts and set them up with more enlightened companies but does anyone have a less drastic solution?

I'm not sure if this is the most appropriate forum for this query - Let me know if there is a better one and I'll re-post it!

Thanks

S_J

Premier_2

Your post is most confusing.

This is the gas & electric forum, so if your post is about these you are in the correct place.

However, your partner probably wouldn't have 'brought these utilities with him', but would have registered accounts with the existing suppliers.
In fact, as the house is purchased in joint names, it would be quite usual for the gas & electric to be in both of those names too; the more names on the account, the more choices the supplier has of pursuing in case of non-payment.
I'm sure any gas or electric supplier would welcome you onto the account in your circumstances (but this may need your partner to request this)

But then you talk about Virgin Media. They don't supply gas or electric so you may be in the wrong place.

spiro

Premier is right, you partner needs to write to the companies asking that the account be in joint names. If you are married the bills will typically say Mr & Mrs xxxx, if you are not it would say Mr X and Mrs Y. Even if a company can't put both names on the bill, you partner can authorise them (in writing) to deal with you as well. All of this arises from the DPA.

Sensible_Jess

Premier wrote: »

This is the gas & electric forum, so if your post is about these you are in the correct place.

But then you talk about Virgin Media. They don't supply gas or electric so you may be in the wrong place.

Actually my post is to do with ALL the utility bills - gas, water, electric, phone and broadband. If there is a forum that deals with just 'bills' then I would post there. Can you direct me to it?

Premier wrote: »

However, your partner probably wouldn't have 'brought these utilities with him', but would have registered accounts with the existing suppliers.

He asked his existing gas and electric supppliers to supply us at the new address, The water company is the same as we moved only a few streets away and the the Virgin Media account was transferred as we kept the same phone number.
I hope this makes it clearer for you.

Premier wrote: »

....it would be quite usual for the gas & electric to be in both of those names too; the more names on the account, the more choices the supplier has of pursuing in case of non-payment. I'm sure any gas or electric supplier would welcome you onto the account in your circumstances (but this may need your partner to request this)

spiro wrote: »

Premier is right, you partner needs to write to the companies asking that the account be in joint names. If you are married the bills will typically say Mr & Mrs xxxx, if you are not it would say Mr X and Mrs Y. Even if a company can't put both names on the bill, you partner can authorise them (in writing) to deal with you as well. QUOTE]

I agree with both your comments and this has been done by my partner - to no effect as the bills still come addressed to him alone. It's very frustrating!!!:mad:

S-J

Premier_2

Sensible_Jess wrote: »

Actually my post is to do with ALL the utility bills - gas, water, electric, phone and broadband. If there is a forum that deals with just 'bills' then I would post there. Can you direct me to it?

This forum deals with gas & electric

The water is dealt with here:
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/forumdisplay.php?f=79

Home telephone is dwalt with here:
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/forumdisplay.php?f=68

Broadband is dealt with here:
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/forumdisplay.php?f=69

Sensible_Jess wrote: »

He asked his existing gas and electric supppliers to supply us at the new address,

As far as gas & electricity is concerned, that sounds like a problem brewing in itself.
He (and you) should have registered a new account with the existing suppliers to the property. You could then switch supplier if you so desired.

Whilst other options may be possible, it invariably leads to tears.

Sensible_Jess wrote: »

spiro wrote: »

Premier is right, you partner needs to write to the companies asking that the account be in joint names. If you are married the bills will typically say Mr & Mrs xxxx, if you are not it would say Mr X and Mrs Y. Even if a company can't put both names on the bill, you partner can authorise them (in writing) to deal with you as well.

I agree with both your comments and this has been done by my partner - to no effect as the bills still come addressed to him alone. It's very frustrating!!!:mad:

S-J

Depending on what was done exactly, it may be the accounts are still in his sole name but you would be able to call & discuss such accounts as he would have supplied that permission.

Sensible_Jess

Thanks for the links - I had worked out that there were forums for the separate utilities but wanted to avoid repeat postings. I've posted again in the broadband forum.

Premier wrote: »

Depending on what was done exactly, it may be the accounts are still in his sole name but you would be able to call & discuss such accounts as he would have supplied that permission.

You'd think so, but every time I do, I get the same response - 'You're not Mr Sensible-Jess' (obviously) 'You're not the person on the bill and therefore we can't discuss the account with you'. The letters drafted were asking for the account to be put in joint names, enclosing my details and then signed by both of us. What more can we do?

Unless anyone has any helpful advice, I think our best bet is to switch suppliers to those who can do more than just 'computer says no'. I cannot believe how much hassle this is being!


S-J

somethingtypical

As far as I'm aware, with utility bills it was once possible to have them with two names, now it is no longer possible.

spiro

somethingtypical wrote: »

As far as I'm aware, with utility bills it was once possible to have them with two names, now it is no longer possible.

That is not true, suppliers have accounts in multiple names especially rented property i.e. student lets, as it makes it easier to chase debt when they move on as they only need to find 1 of the x people listed on the account which increases the odds.

Premier_2

Sensible_Jess wrote: »

...
You'd think so, but every time I do, I get the same response - 'You're not Mr Sensible-Jess' (obviously) 'You're not the person on the bill and therefore we can't discuss the account with you'. The letters drafted were asking for the account to be put in joint names, enclosing my details and then signed by both of us. What more can we do?

Unless anyone has any helpful advice, I think our best bet is to switch suppliers to those who can do more than just 'computer says no'. I cannot believe how much hassle this is being!


S-J

I would suggest your husband contacts the energy company/ies concerned and checks that they have received his letter and ask why they are not adding you to the account.

If that fails to provide any results, get your husband to raise a formal complaint in writing to them. You can find the supplier's complaint procedure and address to send written complaints to on their website.

specialsparky

Your partner musr write to the companies and put the account into joint names. Virgin Media cannot be right, all utility companies will do this if asked.

Material_Girl_2

I would just threaten to cancel your contracts (if you can) and tell them it's because they won't add your name to the bills. I'm sure, they'll manage to add your name in no time to prevent you from cancelling!