Housemates not wanting to pay bills, Myself wanting to pay my share.

DannyWhoWorks

Terrylw1 wrote: »

Is there a communal supply meter as well as yours? If so, the landlord can wire the fire alarms to that meter and you could have a PPM.

Just keep that tenancy agreement for years just incase.

I don't have this I am afraid BUT, I am going to make sure I do and get a copy and keep it. Are you saying, to keep it so if anything does happen in the future, I have proof that all 6 are jointly responsible?

DannyWhoWorks

macman wrote: »

OP, I think you need to read and understand the concept of 'jointly and severally liable'. You are not each responsible for one fifth of the bill, you are each responsible for all of it. The utility co do not get involved in 3rd party disputes, they will get the money however they can.

Yeah, I do understand that sadly but what makes them go for one person and not the other 5?

DannyWhoWorks

Sambucus_Nigra wrote: »

If your name is listed and the others don't pay - then they will chase you for the money. If I were you I'd start taking readings weekly.

And if this 'leader' has not put his name on there; then it's only natural that he's not going to pay up as he doesn't have to.

Whatever you do - do not let them have your bank details!

I won't! There is a way I could get hold of the 'leaders' bank account details I think, he leaves bank statements and that around, would it be terrible if i gave the electric company these details? .... It's not like I am trying to get out of paying, I would always give him the money cash, straight away!

robpw2

DannyWhoWorks wrote: »

Hi, I live in a student house with 5 other people. These people are the most unreliable, untrustworthy and irresponsible people I have met (as you can tell, I love them ) Anyway, It's nine months then I'm out of there, so I'm thinking of it like that. I've come to the conclusion that the bills will be high, I have seen them use electric like its going out of fashion, having heaters on 24 hours of the day, leaving lights on, Putting heaters on the hottest day of the year just to dry clothes etc. This realy does grate on me but I've come to know that there is sod all I can do about it but just go around turning these things off when I see them. The next problem is, something I have realised 3 weeks ago when our first electric bill came in - Noone wants to pay it. I have always been brought up to pay these things straight away and to get them out the way but theres not a single person in the house who seems to want to pay it! When asked the response is 'Not got time', 'Not got money' 'Not my problem ...' or just fob me off!

What exactly can I do? Can I just ring up, pay my share by card or something then just leave the rest to them? That would be such a relief to me if i could, and then could trace back that it was me as I'd pay on my card so I would not be responsible if any further action is taken if these 'fools' just want to ignore the bills etc.

If anyone has any advice on this matter it would be such a relief.

On a side note, you might say just man up and make them act like grown ups but its 5 against 1, they are saying it's equally there house too and they can't just live by my rules and tbh, how can I argue with that?

i had people who wouldnt pay the bills in the house for electric and gas , so i turned off the electricity for what i planned to be a day (they had no idea where the trip switch was) after an hour of not being able to use internet or waste money leaving lights on they all paid up and never missed a payment again

Tiggy223

Try and add his name. Little rotter!

gildius

That sounds awful! I've had annoying housemates, but never that bad! If you can add his name that'll be fantastic
I used a thing called 'Glide' at my last house in uni - the bills come through them and you only pay your share. They don't do it without making a profit themselves though, and you probably end up paying a little more, but it may be worth considering if you're worried about this happening in future houses.

jalexa

macman wrote: »

OP, I think you need to read and understand the concept of 'jointly and severally liable'. You are not each responsible for one fifth of the bill, you are each responsible for all of it....

In general I agree and understand that concept (except with a bank account it is a formal arrangement).

It would be good if this thread could educate. I'm a little uncertain however about what constitutes "liability" (for the energy bill). Does it require being named on a tenancy agreement or just being "resident" (and consuming)? If the latter, and an "informal sharer", how do you prove no longer being "resident"? What "authorisation" is required to add a name to an account? What is the "status" of a name added by an "unauthorised" person. What is the status of (anothers) bank account information added by a "unauthorised" 3rd party,(something the OP has mentioned:()?

Answers anybody?

Wywth

YoYoY wrote: »

Anyone else left thinking it's a shame these housemates are not as reluctant to pay their monthly ISP bill as they are to pay their energy bills? :cool:

I like the cut of your jib, YoYoY. :rotfl:

I think you could have a very valid point there ...

mikey72

DannyWhoWorks wrote: »

I won't! There is a way I could get hold of the 'leaders' bank account details I think, he leaves bank statements and that around, would it be terrible if i gave the electric company these details? .... It's not like I am trying to get out of paying, I would always give him the money cash, straight away!

It would be terrible if you did it in a traceable way. (Like email)
But if "he" was to phone up one day, when everyone else was out, and volunteered his details..........
I wouldn't pay him cash under any circumstances, strictly cheque, or bank transfer, marked as a bill payment, and traceable to his account

DannyWhoWorks

I think I will have to do this if worst comes to the worst. I must express I don't want too, and all I want is for us to pay equally our share, but if they refuse, I will have too. and I'd offer him my money straight away.