Liability for bills in shared accommodation

Allan87

When in uni I share a house with 2 others but the gas and electricity bills only list my name. I'm assuming this means I'm solely liable for the bills which is a bit frustrating in that one member of the house is proving difficult to obtain money from, is there anything I can do?

spiro

You supplier will chase anyone who lived at the property. I think it is called something like 'joint and xxxx liability' (someone will post the proper name).

Your post implies you are still in the shared house with the bad payer. In that case all those who do pay including yourself need to comfront him/her and basically say pay up or move out. It is frequently said on here that the person who pays the bills should be get a deposit from everyone and then collect the money weekly in advance. The deposit is then refund when you move out and the final bill is paid.

Premier_2

As the account was in a single name, the supplier will chase the account holder for payment if the bill is not paid in full & on time.

The supplier will not wish to get involved in third party disputes.

The OP should, together with his other housemate who is paying, discuss the issue with the non-paying housemate, explain what is due and why it is important that all pay their fair share and enquire if there is any reason why the non-payer is not paying.
Is it a case of can't pay, won't pay, or perhaps just a misunderstanding somewhere along the line?

KimYeovil

Premier wrote: »

enquire if there is any reason why the non-payer is not paying.
Is it a case of can't pay, won't pay, or perhaps just a misunderstanding somewhere along the line?

Don't be silly. The flatmate is clearly just an obnoxious git who is choosing not to pay.

OP, you can put the other flatmates names on the account. It won't help with liablilty - you will still liable for everything and you are still solely liable for all previous bills. Although the supplier will not chase them for their share the flat mate is still legally liable for their share of the bill but it is down to you to chase them.

You and your paying flatmate have to act now and impose a zero tolerance regime immediately.

Poppycat

I would get rid of the leach people like that want a free ride in life. I agree you need to act fast, dont accept any excuses from them pay your share or get lost. The utility company I would expect will just chase the bill payer after all it isnt there fault the house is shared

specialsparky

lessons learnt here, as stated you are definatley with out any doubt responsible for the whole bill. You cannot introduce a third party to your supplier and expect them to chase retrospectivley.

You seem to have shared with some right "friends" If the issue is not resolved then tell your mates, its a Prepayment Meter and you can ask your supplier to install one and put the debt on to that.

Good luck, have you thought of dumping your mate?