Tenants unpaid gas bill

NoAngel

My house was rented out for 6 months. A the end of the tenancy the tenant basically told me he hadn't paid any gas/electric yet and would contact the company to get the bill sent to his new address. I also contacted them with my readings.

A new bill has arrived. It's for the entire 6 months of their tenancy and is addressed to somebody that isn't my tenant. In fact it's the name my husband used until 9 years ago when he changed his name by deed poll. Before the tenants moved in all of the utility bills were in my name, not my husband's, so the only way anyone would know my husbands old name to be able to use it is if someone gave it to the recently which they may have got from the odd bit of junk mail that still turns up still with that name.

Sounds like they've purposely tried to redirect their bill to me! Should I just contact the gas company and tell them this? Is what the tenant did illegal?

HappyMJ

I would say it is illegal. You could report it to the police as well as it fraud against your husband. The damage an unpaid debt could do is very high preventing you from moving or getting beneficial rates on credit cards and loans.

NoAngel

The person that its addressed to basically doesn't exist. But it's actually their debt. Can't I just get the bill sent to them and then it won't be anything to do with us? They gave me their new address and I know their names.

Also, if my husband has no association now with this name, do you think it can still affect his credit rating?

Werdnal

Did you put the bills in the tenant's name at the start of the tenancy? LL should always do this, and not leave to tenant who can conveniently "forget"!

If you have a signed tenancy and proof of move in/move out dates then you should be able to convince the gas supplier that the tenant is responsible for gas used during that period. Ring them on Monday and explain.

Whilst you are at it, check the other utilities and CT, just incase you get nasty surprises there too!

Fire_Fox

NoAngel wrote: »

My house was rented out for 6 months. A the end of the tenancy the tenant basically told me he hadn't paid any gas/electric yet and would contact the company to get the bill sent to his new address. I also contacted them with my readings.

A new bill has arrived. It's for the entire 6 months of their tenancy and is addressed to somebody that isn't my tenant. In fact it's the name my husband used until 9 years ago when he changed his name by deed poll. Before the tenants moved in all of the utility bills were in my name, not my husband's, so the only way anyone would know my husbands old name to be able to use it is if someone gave it to the recently which they may have got from the odd bit of junk mail that still turns up still with that name.

Sounds like they've purposely tried to redirect their bill to me! Should I just contact the gas company and tell them this? Is what the tenant did illegal?

Did you close your accounts when the new tenant took occupation? If so you are liable for nothing for that six months, return the bill to the supplier with a copy of the tenancy agreement, explain that there is not and has not been anyone of that name at the address in many years. Also give them the tenant's forwarding address you have and any other contact addresses. The debt is the tenant's debt, regardless of whose name is on the bill at present.

Next check both your credit files carefully and add notes of correction if old names are not clearly defunct. You can put on there that there has been an attempt at fraudulent use of your husband's alias. You really should not have permitted your mail to go to an address you don't live at, you should have resolved that by now, stopped it or redirected it.

olly300

NoAngel wrote: »

The person that its addressed to basically doesn't exist. But it's actually their debt. Can't I just get the bill sent to them and then it won't be anything to do with us? They gave me their new address and I know their names.

Also, if my husband has no association now with this name, do you think it can still affect his credit rating?

I strongly suggest you do it properly as these cowboys will try it again, and this will also limit any possible damage to you, your husband and rental property.

First get in touch with the police and give them all the details you know. See if they will record it as a crime and if they do get a crime reference number for them.

If they don't then report it on the Action Fraud website
or phone them up on 0300 123 2040.

Then get in touch with the utility company given them the crime reference number (if you have one) or action fraud reference number, the tenants' proper names and new address.

Utility call centres like most call centres tended to be staffed by people who only go on what the computer tells them so if you say it's a crime against them with a reference number they will be more inclined to get the right people on the phone to ensure they recover their money.

This unfortunately could have repercussions for any future tenants you have in the property as the utility company could decide to put credit meters in the property. It's a bit like some companies refusing orders from certain postcodes regardless of the previous record of the person ordering them.

NoAngel

Thanks so much for all of the advice. I closed all of the accounts on the day the tenants moved in and gave them their names so that I wouldn't be liable. They already turned around and tried to say it was my fault the had a court summons for not paying their council tax as they 'thought' I was paying it.

I did get my mail redirected, but only in our current names as I'd not realised an old circular was still coming in his old name every few months or so.

I have a signed tenancy agreement and I've not have any problems with the other utilities, I've simply set up direct debits with the water and CT so this isn't a problem.

There will be no tenants at the house again as we are moving back in a couple of months. Hopefully nothing more will happen in terms of the bill but I appreciate the advice with regards to checking credit files and about reporting fraud. I'll definitely do these as we have a baby due and want to buy a bigger house soon and don't need these people ruining it for us.