Can I have a bit of advice please?

barbiedoll

I used to collect debts for a water company and the party line is basically, the tenant is responsible for the water bill UNLESS the tenancy agreement states otherwise, Yours clearly did, otherwise the bill wouldn't have been in your landlord's name. He is just trying to pass the buck, send the "prove-it" letter and stop worrying about it. You could always deny living there at the time, if your landlord wants to prove otherwise, he will have to provide a copy of the tenancy agreement signed by you. Which he won't as it will state that he is liable for the water bill anyway!

MrsMalthouse

Thanks again for the useful replies. I never thought about saying I never lived there at the time etc! Was just mainly worried because I hadn't got my tenancy agreement any more. I'll follow your advice on the letter and see what happens. I have a funny feeling though that it won't be the last I hear from them-they sounded so determined on the phone like they would hound me forever unless I had definate proof that I didn't owe it.

On a side note, the landlord at said property took a £400 deposit off me and never put it in a deposit scheme. When I left the property, he kept the majority of it for 'damages' (£8 for taking the gas card with me?!!!-I'm not going to leave it behind for someone else to use in my name am I?! lol) so doesn't that mean, if I wanted to, I could take him to court over that? I read somewhere that you could claim for up to 3 times the amount of the deposit? I never did it at the time as I just wanted to be rid of him but he's obviously still trying to pin this on me so I feel like I should retaliate. Am I being silly?

Hannah_10

MrsMalthouse wrote: »

I have a funny feeling though that it won't be the last I hear from them-they sounded so determined on the phone like they would hound me forever unless I had definate proof that I didn't owe it.

Yeah, they have refined the art, because it works, people get frightened. DCA's really are scum. They'd sound like that no matter what they did or did not have. It's not like a love-affair, it isn't a matter of personal preference as to who contacts who when, it's about rules. They know them, they just hope you never find them out!

MrsMalthouse wrote: »

On a side note, the landlord at said property took a £400 deposit off me and never put it in a deposit scheme. When I left the property, he kept the majority of it for 'damages' (£8 for taking the gas card with me?!!!-I'm not going to leave it behind for someone else to use in my name am I?! lol) so doesn't that mean, if I wanted to, I could take him to court over that? I read somewhere that you could claim for up to 3 times the amount of the deposit? I never did it at the time as I just wanted to be rid of him but he's obviously still trying to pin this on me so I feel like I should retaliate. Am I being silly?

To be honest, I would be feeling the same. As to if you have grounds, well that's outside of my experience, but the CAB and Community Legal Advice would be where I'd start finding out.

MrsMalthouse

I'm glad someone else feels the same as I thought I was being a bit vindictive mentioning it! I'll give those like a look through. Thanks a gain for all your help! I feel a lot more ready to deal with them now if they hassle me again!