Is landlord responsible for unpaid utility bill

Casciana

I recently had a change of tenant in a buy to let house and took meter readings with the outgoing and incoming tenants respectively. I forwarded these readings asking that i am billed for any usage in between, as is usual, and I am awaiting their bill. In the meantime a few days ago the new tenant has received a hand delivered letter, addressed to 'The Occupier' from a DCA working on behalf of the utility company for an outstanding debt in the name of the previous tenant.
I have contacted the utility company to discuss and have been told (by an employee who answered the phone) that there has been a change in the law and it is now ultimately the landlords responsibility to pay up if the tenant doesn't, as it is their property! (have I been asleep and missed something?!)
Can anyone shed any light on this, or have had a similar situation?

macman

Please delete your other (duplicate) post.

Casciana

Wasn't sure which was the most appropriate place to post it, then wasn't sure how to delete first!!

jaybeetoo

Your tenant is liable for the bill. I assume they registered with the utility company?

Casciana

yes, I notified them in writing of new tenant details back in Aug'11. The utility company say they were sending bills but have not had any payment but his is the first I've heard of it!

jaybeetoo

As the letter from the DCA was addressed to 'The Occupier' it sounds like the previous tenant may not have registered.

Casciana

The hand delivered envelope was addressed to 'The Occupier', which is why they opened it, and letter inside read previous tenants full name/Occupier.