Getting the ex-flatmate to pay utilities

unlocated

Hyia,

not sure it's the right forum section but..

I 've received the final bill from the electricity company that was supplying the house I was living in before. I was the person on that bill and used to get the money from the other flatmate.

Usual story, I've got the final bill and it's about £220. I live no more in that property and have no other contacts of the ex-flatmate but the phone number and email.

I have managed to get her name now on the final bill and asked the company to provide a final bill with all charges clearly put.

What can I do now to make sure the ex-flatmate pay their part?
Can I pay my part and let the company chase them or I'm held responsible for it? What are my "weapons"?

Thanks,
Unlocated

Cardew

You are responsible for the bill - full stop! So pay it before it affects your credit record.

You cannot put her name on the bill any more than you could put mine, or the Queen of England.

In any case even if her name had been on the bill for the whole period, you are both 'jointly and severally liable'. Which means that they can come after either of you for the full amount.

The electricity company will never get involved in a third party dispute.

If she won't pay, the only thing you can do is take her to the small claims court. It is an informal procedure that doesn't cost much(and you would get those costs back if the court found in your favour)

Most people will pay up once they believe you are serious about court action. It takes a very 'hard' person to stand up in court and lie on oath.

unlocated

Cardew wrote: »

You are responsible for the bill - full stop! So pay it before it affects your credit record.

You cannot put her name on the bill any more than you could put mine, or the Queen of England..

The company now added the other person's name on request. What is the problem with that? isn't the other person responsible for the payment?

The small claims court is a good solution but I'd rather try and sort it out before..not happy to take it to court but it's money.

thanks!

Cardew

unlocated wrote: »

The company now added the other person's name on request. What is the problem with that? isn't the other person responsible for the payment?



thanks!

Although we don't sign contracts these days, you are in a legally binding contract with gas and electricity, and to be in a contract both parties have to agree. Your flatmate agreed to pay you her share, and has no agreement with the electricity company.

Thus you cannot retrospectively add someone's name to make them responsible for any bill. Why not put her as totally responsible for your present gas and electricity bills;)

In any case, as said earlier, it doesn't matter if her name was on the bill. You would still be responsible for the whole bill under the 'jointly and severally liable provision'.

This situation happens time and again in student accomodation - scores of cases on MSE - and you are 'lumbered'.

HappyMJ

unlocated wrote: »

The company now added the other person's name on request. What is the problem with that? isn't the other person responsible for the payment?

The small claims court is a good solution but I'd rather try and sort it out before..not happy to take it to court but it's money.

thanks!

The name on the bill doesn't matter they can chase you for the whole lot whether you pay what you think is your half or nothing. If you want a clean credit record then you pay the lot and seek payment from the other party...or you could hope the amount is so small that the supplier writes the debt off without further action.

unlocated

HappyMJ wrote: »

The name on the bill doesn't matter they can chase you for the whole lot whether you pay what you think is your half or nothing. If you want a clean credit record then you pay the lot and seek payment from the other party...or you could hope the amount is so small that the supplier writes the debt off without further action.

100 quids I think is not something they'd write off...

Cardew

unlocated wrote: »

100 quids I think is not something they'd write off...

I tend to agree(and macman did say 'hope' they would write it off)

For £220 they would pass it to a Debt Collecting Agency and whilst I doubt it would get to court, it will certainly trash your credit record.

undaunted

What does the ex flat mate actually say about it?

Do you have means of finding her? (you'll need to know where papers can be served if you want to take it to court)

unlocated

undaunted wrote: »

What does the ex flat mate actually say about it?

the flatmate don't say much: I've BCC her in the communications with the company but didn't say much. I know from the past that when the new direct debit arrived they made lots of fuss about it. I am just putting little steps towards making it sure I won't be left on my own for any silly reasons.

undaunted wrote: »

Do you have means of finding her? (you'll need to know where papers can be served if you want to take it to court)

About the forwarding address I will have to see whether she will give it to me or I can get it from the Landlord. It is quite annoying that there is a possibility that the ex-flatmate might have even left the Country :mad:

HappyMJ

unlocated wrote: »

the flatmate don't say much: I've BCC her in the communications with the company but didn't say much. I know from the past that when the new direct debit arrived they made lots of fuss about it. I am just putting little steps towards making it sure I won't be left on my own for any silly reasons.

About the forwarding address I will have to see whether she will give it to me or I can get it from the Landlord. It is quite annoying that there is a possibility that the ex-flatmate might have even left the Country :mad:

If ex-flatmate has left the country then there is zero chance the supplier will attempt to recover the debt from them and will sell the debt on and the debt collection agency will chase you for the debt.