Moved house, bills in previous tenants name

snapcracklepop

I have moved into a shared house, sharing with one difficult to deal with chinese guy.

The gas/elec bills are in a previous tenants name. Firstly am I liable for what is consumed under the previous tenants name.

Please do not get the wrong idea, I do not want to avoid paying for what I use but the current tenant is insistant on putting the central heating and wate ron all night from 5pm and during the morning and I'm normally unable to switch it off at those hours.

Obviously because of his excessive usage, I don't want the bills in my name. I can live ok beinig compltely cut off of gas and electricy so I'm thinking of getting the supply cut off to scare him. You will not believe how hard it is to get through to this person that he's being grossly irresponsible in his usage. It's extremely inconsiderate to just continue cranking up the heating and hot water all night when your tenants disagree with it.

I've lived in the property for a week, and there is an outstanding bill for the last tenants of £200 which hs should have paid a little as he's been living there for a year. Am I liable for any of this?

Thank you

I noticed this page which says I am
http://www.energywatch.org.uk/bst/help_and_advice/moving_to_new_premises/index.asp

david29dpo

you are not liable for the last tenants bill. you have to put the bill in someone's name now, you or your flat-mate. not a good idea to put it in yours but if you put it in his in may be more careful in future.

snapcracklepop

Cheers for the reply.

Unfortunately he's moving out at the end of January so putting it his name isn't an option. I'm going away for three weeks over christmas and January to see relatives so for those months he can be cut off.

He's also trying to evade paying council tax as he will move back to China in January and thinks he can get away with this.

I worry because we have joint liability for council tax but my portion is paid using housing benefit. However I'm liable for his share which he won't pay or seek help to pay.

So, if we left it in the previous tenants name for two months, as tenants by law would we be liable for the gas and electricity used on the property? Which laws should I be aware of?

david29dpo

there are a lot a laws to be aware of!! and one of them is leaving the the bills in someone else's name! you should know better!

angchris

sounds like he`s not planning on stumping out any cash whatsoever and is gonna do a flit without paying his bills:mad: dont ya just hate people like that! i feel for the last tenant who is gonna end up with a whopping bill because its in his name! personally i would phone up and tell the leccy/gas people you have just moved in and can you change the name to yours on the bills and you shouldnt get landed with the old bill, the last tenant will. i would also be tempted to ask for a prepayment token meter to be fitted so you dont find yourself in this situation again and you can pay as you use presuming another tenant will be moving in, it might work out slightly more expensive but for peace of mind id say its worth it. i`d say you are gonna get landed with this guys 3 weeks worth of use whilst you are away but it would be worth paying just to see the back of the lowlife xxxxx :rolleyes: you can then start afresh.i`m not sure where you stand with the council tax, best idea is to phone them i guess and make sure you give them the date you moved in, best of luck,keep us posted...angchris

tripled

Although you would not be liable for bills before you move in you can be held jointly liable for power this chinese guy is using even if he doesn't pay his share. In your situation I would get a pp meter fitted without delay, that way at least he will have to pay for his own consumption whilst you are away over Christmas. Get anything used since yhou moved in added onto the meter as well, they will set a recovery rate on the meter so at least he will contribute to paying some of that too. If he doesn't top up the meter he will get very cold!

Ken68

Hi Snap...this "chinese guy", substitute for " this engish guy in Shanghia, he doing me".
Come on, Snap, give and take.......