Leaving shared house.

DannyWhoWorks

Hi, Basically, I live in a student house. It is the house from hell and I cannot wait to be out of there! 28th June cannot come quick enough!
Problem is, I am a bit worried about the bill situation, not wanting to be rude, but these people I am living with are thick! They have no responsiblity and are just terrible to live with. I have to almost organise everything!
When we leave, I am a bit worried about the bill situation. Two of us have each taken responsiblity of each bill. They get the bill and they never pay it or ask us for our share they just check the letter away, after the 10000th letter, this finally gets done.
But, when we leave the house, I know we need to let all water and electric people that we are moving out. The problem is, I don't want to do this all and then I'm the one they send the final bill too, because, I know for certain NOONE will pay me!
Anyone know what I can do?
thanks

chanz4

This is the problem with house share, all are liable but they will go after who they can pin down

Cardew

Exactly as above. You are all jointly and severally liable, and no utility company will get involved in a third party dispute.

dogshome

I get the impression from your post that it's 2 of the other people in the group who signed up to be billed, not you.

With a history of poor bill management, you are right to be concerned as the Utility Co's will go after anyone in the household when there is outstanding debt, even though your name is not on the bills

Your best bet is to be a real pain for your remaining time in the house, to get as many bills paid up to date as you can, then on the day you leave make a note of all the Meter readings and keep it safe, together with all documentation that lists your moving out date.

spiro

If you can go online and submit a metering reading for gas and elec. With some suppliers this will then tell you the current balance or may trigger a bill if one is due soon. If it is the former, pay your share to the remaining member who are staying there and get them to sign for the payment. This may not fully protect you but it may help, better still pay your share directly to supplier but still get others to sign. Shared houses are always a nightmare unless everyone is organised.