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Friends in shared house-do utility bills need both names on?
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rosiecomelately
Posts: 8 Forumite
in Energy
Hello everyone
I have a question re utility bills in a rented house which I'd like your advice/help on - can't find anything on this site relating to my query. DS1 has just moved into rented house with friend. They each have their own bedroom ie they're not a 'couple'. Are they able to have their joint names on a utility bill even though they're not a couple? If not, and it has to be just one name on the bill, is that named person liable for the full amount of the bill, even though they share? Also, is it possible to pay a joint-names bill via direct debit?
I'm not sure what to advise them, so thanks in advance for your pearls of wisdom on this one.
I have a question re utility bills in a rented house which I'd like your advice/help on - can't find anything on this site relating to my query. DS1 has just moved into rented house with friend. They each have their own bedroom ie they're not a 'couple'. Are they able to have their joint names on a utility bill even though they're not a couple? If not, and it has to be just one name on the bill, is that named person liable for the full amount of the bill, even though they share? Also, is it possible to pay a joint-names bill via direct debit?
I'm not sure what to advise them, so thanks in advance for your pearls of wisdom on this one.
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Comments
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They can have all their names on the account, it makes no difference to which bank account is used for the dd, and of course protects all parties!
One name on the account makes that person 100% responsible!0 -
MIght be an idea to open a joint 'bills' account that they all pay into and set the DD up from that - will at least ensure they all pay their way because if one person doesn't, both will suffer!
Agree with Quentin in that one name on the bill makes that one person 100% responsible.0 -
Whilst the above is correct, they won't split the bill.
So if the bill came to, say, £400 they wouldn't accept £200 from your son and chase the other person for the remainder. This is because they have no idea who is living in the house(there could be more people), the other person could claim he gave your son the £200 in cash etc.
In short it becomes a third person dispute, and both named are jointly and severally responsible.
If they don't get their money, they pass the account to a debt collection agency(DCA) who will pursue the first person they can trace for the full amount.
So having two names on the bill is no help if one doesn't pay - as happens so often in student accomodation.0 -
Do not have a joint bill or joint account! If your DS's friend has a bad credit rating - it can be associated with your DS!
Best set up an in house pot of money for it and draw up a signed agreement between them about how much/when. Then one of them pays the company - whilst this means one person will be responsible from the company's point of view the agreement should provide evidence if your DS has to take his friend to court for non-payment.Save £200 a month : [STRIKE]Oct[/STRIKE] Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr0
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