Getting bill money off other tennants

kiss_me_now9

A_Phoenix_of_Tangerine wrote: »

If they still have this term left at University before they receive part of their degree, I doubt they'll want to waste all that money spent on international student fees by absconding before the term is through... Equally, it is damn cold outside at the moment, and without heat / electricity (turned off by you, until they pay up) I'm not sure they'll be quite as willing to keep up this selfish charade. I guess you'll have to wait until they return now, but write to the LL and utility company in the mean time (recorded delivery), and categorically state that you never signed up as the lead tenant and that you are not assuming sole responsibility for the bills being paid. I also live in Bangor, I've noticed that the Chinese student population has increased hugely in the past 3 years but had no idea that it is common place for them to leave without paying bills... Surely student LLs will soon stop renting to Chinese students if this is so prevalent? Not a good situation for anyone

Hi fellow Bangor-ite I dunno if they could stop renting to them, I guess it'd be classed as prejudice to turn them away? I was thinking the very same this morning. When I started looking I got told by a Bangor resident LL (not mine, mine lives in London) that if he could he would never rent to an international student again - from what I've heard the other nationalities are fine but it seems to be a theme with the Chinese ones that they refuse to pay bills whilst they're here and then they just run off back home when they finish.

I've had a good long 'woe is me' cry and just as I was on the phone to my BF I heard someone come through the front door - so summoning up all my courage I went and cornered him. Basically everyone apart from him is away for two weeks so there's no point stressing about it now. However when they get back I am going to go to each room individually and ask them all for the money, and tell them if they don't pay I'll be contacting whoever I need to to get the money. He did say however that he'd paid the water bill for the entire house so it's looking hopeful that I might get something out of them...? I'm also going to go to the student housing bit Monday and tell them everything and see what they suggest. Can't wait to move back into halls next year!

I'm presuming that they give you a little while to pay bills before issuing a final demand? Does anyone know what kind of timescale that would be? Also, is it the right thing to ring them up and tell them that it's going to be mid February before it's paid?

Errata

Are they all students at the same University? If they are, contact the Uni welfare office and tell them their students are driving you to penury and if they don't pay their share of the bill you will report them to the police for stealing gas and electricity.

BitterAndTwisted

Utility companies normally send out a red reminder about two or three weeks after the original bill went out. You will then have another few weeks before they start threatening you with disconnection. Note: threat is not actual disconnection but it may not be close behind. Not for a new customer with a bill of that size.

dimbo61

The students from what ever country need to pass there exams and get the degree/masters/phd
Inform the students if they dont pay up you will apply to the uni to stop them passing
Its amazing how all library fines are repaid when you hear that you wont get your degree/masters/phd while owing money to the uni.
Landlords do care and many are now offering all inclusive deals to include rent and all bills.
Having outstanding utility bills and all the red letters turning up at a house weeks/months after the students have left can cause problems when you need gas/electric/broadband/ water/council tax next term.
If students cant be bothered to register online( for free) that they are living at a house until a council tax bill for £1500/2000 arrives how are they going to pay a gas bill or TV licence.
Please ensure you also redirect your mail when you move out for at least 6/12 months

pimento

HappyMJ wrote: »

Get a prepayment meter fitted ASAP and arrange with the supplier to collect the outstanding debt over the next 12 weeks. Tell each tenant they are responsible for which weeks then if they don't pay the other tenants will be on your side to make them pay as the gas/electricity has been cut off by non payment. They will not want to be in the dark so they will pay up.

This is the best idea. And change the router password!

dawyldthing

Utter cobswallop! What you need to do is phone the companies up and say to them 'this is a house of multiple occupancies and every single person will be paying their share seperately. Here are a list of their names:' You can definately do it on the electric and gas, we had it on the water rates but the internet providers can be a bit finicky, but just phone them up and say that you are not the lead tennant and it is x. If they question it (as they will because it will be a 12 month contract you will be in with them) just tell them that its not your problem and for them to prove where you signed up to the bills in your name (or e-mailed as you can do it this way) as its for them to prove that it was you that set it up.

Do not let the housemates or the bill companies walk all over you! I lived in 2 houses, both with all UK nationals (i'm English too) and trying to sort bills out was somewhat of a nightmare, but when it comes to moving out phone the company say i want to pay my 6th of x and then have my name taken off the bill because i'm moving out early as then its their problem to sort it out not yours and they should take it off as they can see you are one of 6. If they have a problem of doing this send a copy of your tenancy contract to their head office recorded and ask them to reply within 14 days to confirm its happened.

Do not let them walk over you!!!!!!

kiss_me_now9 wrote: »

Just rang the company and their advice was... get everyone in one room, phone us back up and get the contract changed to include everyone. Until then you owe us £650.

So, now the question is how do I get them all in one room at one time when the company is open and get them to agree to take the bills?

Mortgage_Reduction_Novice

If another tenant has paid the whole water bill, did you offer to pay your share of that bill?

I think if you approach them differently they may be more amenable to talk. Ask each housemate if they have paid any bills. Say you will pay them if they show you proof that they have paid this bill (receipt or bank statement). When you have established this and made them believe you are offering them money, work out the difference, work out who owes you and how much.

If you owe one of them, always pay by cheque or bank transfer to create a record or paying them... never cash.

Ulfar

Prepayment meter is the way to go, with the arrears being paid of by that. Get it done now so there is at least a whole term before they go back to China, at which point there is no hope of getting the money.

If you can contact the University and they will hold back on letting them pass that may be an option, I know universities do it when halls of residence money is outstanding not sure they will do it for private debts.

As for broadband etc if they aren't paying don't let them use it.

I would also get my name taken of the bills, as others have said if you haven't provided your details to utility companies as the bill payer then someone else must have.

Mortgage_Reduction_Novice

Any update OP? Have you made progress with communication?

dimbo61

Not sure many landlords would be happy to see a pre-payment meter installed in there rental property as it makes the GAS and ELECTRIC more expensive for the next tenants