Please help, advised to post on this forum from utilities

mslmch

Hi everybody, new here but desperate for some advice! Basically, just recieved a water bill for just under £400 for previous property, which I lived in with my ex husband from feb 2011 to oct 2011. He continued to live there, was main account holder even when I lived there. I gave him half towards all bill every month and was not aware I was named on any bills etc as it was all in his name, hence why I would give him the money each month.
I have recieved bill for feb 2011- june 2012, I phoned and explained I had moved out oct 2011, said I was not aaccount holder and questioned why I had recieved bill. The man said that I was main account holder, and my ex husband was just a relation on the account.
I did not understand this, so madesecond phone call 10 mins later to ask questions. Go put on hold for almost 10 mins, for her to return and say she had spoken to colleague, discovered my ex husband WAS main account holder, but had informed them june 2012 he was declared bankrupt. Passing the debt on to me?! What do I do?! Thank you

PippaGirl_2

I would just say that you paid your ex your portion of the bill up until you left. The bill wasn't in your name and you paid your part anyway.

Your ex must have deliberately passed on your details to them do you think? Do you think any other debt will now come your way? If any bills are joint and one party goes BR, the debt then does transfer 100% to the other party but as the water bill was in his name and you paid him your half I would be surprised if you would be liable. Hopefully someone will come along and clarify.

Worcsman

sounds to me like they are trying it on unless your ex husband has committed fraud against you. Im sure someone here that knows what the score is, will let you know where you stand.

wildheart83

It's worth sending an SAR to the company involved. It might cost £10 but it will tell you exactly when they added your name, and also any notes made on the account.
I had to do a similar thing with electric - was never named on the account, ex had transferred it from his previous property to ours and then 4 years later I got a letter from a DCA looking for 3.5k

I might be wrong but are utilities not usually held by one person, albeit with a second (or more) person authorised to discuss the account with the company?

mslmch

Thanks everyone.. what is an SAR?
I am now worried that other bills or demands may turn up, as far as I was aware the bills were being paid when I lived there as I gave him my half.
Even when I said to them I moved out oct 2011, they said they were not aware asihad not informed them- why would I inform them when I was not the account holder?! That is what I replied and they did not want to know

PippaGirl_2

SAR is a subject access request

Many companies try it on to try and get money. I would make an SAR as suggested, costs around £10 and find out when your name was linked to the account.

Mouse1812

Who is liable to pay the bill

The occupier of the property is normally responsible for paying water charges. If someone shares accommodation, the liability is shared even if the bill is only in one name. An occupier who remains in a property after the person with whom they shared has left (for example, if partners have separated) may be held responsible for current charges and any arrears. The company may also seek to recover money owed by the person who has left the accommodation.

From the above it appears to matter not if your name was on the bill, you can however argue that from Oct 2011 you have no further liability. How much of the bill relates to before Oct 2011?

mslmch

Thanks everyone.

I am not sure how much of the bill is for before oct 2011 as it is just a bill for the full amount- almost £400.

What do you suggest I do now?

PippaGirl_2

Contact them and inform them of the date that you moved out of the property and ask them to amend the bill accordingly.

wildheart83

The company I was fighting with claimed that they can add anyone onto the account without permission, if they have lived at the address. They claim that you're liable due to the assumption of using the utilities at the address.
I would send an SAR, give them the 40 days to respond and then see what information is on the account. Don't be surprised if they've used dirty tactics though!
Your actions then will depend on whether you're wanting to pay the bill upto the date you moved out, or whether you're disputing paying anything since you were never on the account.

Mouse1812

Assume the bill accrues evenly over time. Mid Feb 2011 to mid Jun 2012 is about 486 days (Bill period). Mid Feb 2011 to mid Oct 2011 is about 242 days (days you were there).

242/486 days is about 50%.

At least half the bill is not yours. If there was an increase in rates during the period even less is down to you.

While you might not succeed I would be tempted to offer half for when you were there - that would be just under £100 then.

edit to add: Plead financial hardship - might put them on the back foot.