Utility Bills not paid by flatmate

Hetfield_Rules

Hi There,

My flatmate is named on the electricity and gas bills whilst I pay the phone and internet bills.

I came home from work earlier to find and found a debt visit notice and final warning from SSE (Scottish Hydro is the supplier.)

There are two separate sheets, one the debt visit notice refers to an unpaid electricity bill and threatens that we will be switched to a pay as you go meter on the 24th.

The second is the outstanding gas bill for the exact same amount and also threatens to cut off the gas/switch to prepay meter. It also mentions that the outstanding balance will be added to the meter and weekly deductions of '£......' (no actual figure) will be taken.

My flatmate is visiting his home town and will not be back until the 24th.

This is the first I've seen of any trouble with the bills and I've lived with him for 6 months and have transferred my half to his bank account each month clearly labelled as "bill money - (month)," he's obviously not paid any of this so is there a way for me to get this money back from him, if he's an a** about it? We don't have a contract for our bill arrangement so I'm guessing it's a no.

I get paid tomorrow so can pay off the outstanding balance, but as I'm not registered on the bill in any way will I still be able to pay off the debt for this via debit card? Also if I do pay it is there any way I would be able to make sure I can get the money paid back from my flatmate.

I've texted and called him numerous times to see what's going on but so far not heard a peep from him.

Thanks
Steven

Cardew

You should look up 'jointly and severally liable'.

jalexa

Cardew wrote: »

You should look up 'jointly and severally liable'.

Your form of words appears to be specific "advice" but an "implied" opinion.

I remain to be convinced about the exact legal status. By way of example this is what E.On states "the person or people who have entered into the contract with us. If this is more than one person, each person will be jointly and severally liable for any money owed to us. This means we will be entitled to claim all of the money owed from any person"

I'm not convinced that "entered into the contract with us" doesn't subtly change the J&S liability when the move from "deemed" to an individually named account holder occurred. Like to hear some informed opinion on that from a legal authority.

spiro

If you pay the bill there is only two ways to get you money back from your flatmate, he gives it to you or you take him to small claims court.

torbrex

Hetfield_Rules wrote: »

This is the first I've seen of any trouble with the bills and I've lived with him for 6 months and have transferred my half to his bank account each month clearly labelled as "bill money - (month)," he's obviously not paid any of this so is there a way for me to get this money back from him, if he's an a** about it? We don't have a contract for our bill arrangement so I'm guessing it's a no.

I get paid tomorrow so can pay off the outstanding balance, but as I'm not registered on the bill in any way will I still be able to pay off the debt for this via debit card? Also if I do pay it is there any way I would be able to make sure I can get the money paid back from my flatmate.

I've texted and called him numerous times to see what's going on but so far not heard a peep from him.

Thanks
Steven

Nothing stopping you paying the bills, the power companies are more than willing to take money from anyone.

Reading your post, it looks like you would have trouble getting the money back from your flatmate, he appears to have shut himself off from the debt.
Personally, I would be inclined to do nothing and let him pick up the pieces on his return.
You have already paid him your 'share' of the ongoing charges and anything on top of that is his responsibility.

You should think about getting out of the flatshare as soon as possible before you get dragged down with him.

macman

Anyone can pay the bill if they have the account number, but you have no guarantee of getting anything back from your 'friend'. It's then a 3rd party dispute, nothing to do with the supplier.
Once the PPM is installed further charges will be added-warrant costs, locksmith etc. So it's up to you to either pay or let them in.

victor2

Does your flatmate pay his half of the phone/broadband?
If not, he clearly likes to get things for free for as long as possible, and then run away from the resulting issues.
As said, you can pay the outstanding bill without problem, but it sounds like you'd struggle to get it back from your flatmate.
I'd be tempted to text/phone - withhold your number if you think he's ignoring you - the flatmate saying that PPM's have been installed by forced entry (with a legal warrant) and that you've cancelled the broadband account in order to pay for the damage. See if that gets any reaction. Of course, don't make any more payments to his account.
In the meantime, I guess I'd pay the bill, seek legal advice (from CAB?) about taking the flatmate to court and look for somewhere else to live.

macman

First thing I'd do is check the situation with the gas bills, the odds are he's done the same with that, as it's presumably the bigger spend.
Thsi isn't just an oversight, as he would have had several overdue/red bills/final demands before they would obtain a warrant for a PPM.

zzzLazyDaisy

Cardew wrote: »

You should look up 'jointly and severally liable'.

OP says the flat mate is named on the gas and electricity bills. If by that OP means that the bills are in the flatmate's sole name, there is no joint and several liability.

zzzLazyDaisy

Is the flat also in joint names?

Are you sure he has just gone away for a short break, and not bailed out leaving you to pick up the pieces?

If you are not tied into the flat, I would not pay the bill and I would be looking for somewhere else to live. If you do pay the bill, there is no guarantee whatsover that you will get your money back - even if you take him to the small claims court and win, there is no guarantee that you will be able to enforce the judgment.

Wywth

Hetfield_Rules wrote: »

Hi There,

My flatmate is named on the electricity and gas bills whilst I pay the phone and internet bills.

I came home from work earlier to find and found a debt visit notice and final warning from SSE (Scottish Hydro is the supplier.)

There are two separate sheets, one the debt visit notice refers to an unpaid electricity bill and threatens that we will be switched to a pay as you go meter on the 24th.

The second is the outstanding gas bill for the exact same amount and also threatens to cut off the gas/switch to prepay meter. It also mentions that the outstanding balance will be added to the meter and weekly deductions of '£......' (no actual figure) will be taken.

My flatmate is visiting his home town and will not be back until the 24th.

This is the first I've seen of any trouble with the bills and I've lived with him for 6 months and have transferred my half to his bank account each month clearly labelled as "bill money - (month)," he's obviously not paid any of this so is there a way for me to get this money back from him, if he's an a** about it? We don't have a contract for our bill arrangement so I'm guessing it's a no.

I get paid tomorrow so can pay off the outstanding balance, but as I'm not registered on the bill in any way will I still be able to pay off the debt for this via debit card? Also if I do pay it is there any way I would be able to make sure I can get the money paid back from my flatmate.

I've texted and called him numerous times to see what's going on but so far not heard a peep from him.

Thanks
Steven

You should be able to pay the existing bills at any paypoint, post office or Natwest bank. Pay in cash and I can't see how the supplier would ever know who paid the bill ... or particularly care.

(You could also pay at any branch of your own bank ... but they may identify you there, although I doubt they would pass on your details)

Getting the money back from your flatmate would be a separate dispute involving just you and him.