Prove Paid Bills: Return of Tenant Deposit

AJayneC

I'm coming to the end of my tenancy and in my contract it states this:

"We are entitled to keep the deposit until you have produced satisfactory proof that you have paid for the utility bills (electricity, gas, water and phone) for the property. If you fail to do so, we may pay any charges you owe from your deposit. If we cannot agree amounts for any breach, the matter will be decided by the County Court."

Given all my bills are paid online, and I receive no paper invoices through the post, in what form do I provide proof?

Do I need to contact the utility companies to obtain a letter of some sort or do people take screen shots of online accounts, or scan in paper bank statements (showing the money has left their account)?

Let me know if you have any ideas or if you've been through this before yourself.

Many Thanks.

sandsni

Were all the bills in your name or your LLs? If they're in your name then AFAIK the companies would chase you, not your LL, for any underpayments, so there is no reason for the LA or LL to require your deposit for such charges, and therefore no reason you should have to provide proof. Make sure meter readings are taken and recorded when you move out and give them to the utility companies, then you pay what you owe up to that point.

AJayneC

Thanks for your post.

All the bills are in my name, but the contract still states that. I guess it's so when I move house and disconnect my name from the house/bills the utility companies don't contact the house owner for any payments which I haven't made. Maybe getting meter readings done at the end would be sufficient, as it would prove I've paid up to the very end, rather than running off before paying the final bill.

I agree with what you said though, it does seem a bit bizarre. I wonder if this is a standard procedure or not?!

thesaint

Ask the landlord.

G_M

England? Scotland?

Assuming England:

Is your deposit registered in a scheme? Which one?

Forget what the contract says - that is an unenforcible term and would not stand up in court.

The bills are a matter between you and the utility companies

1) Read meters on last day
2) call utility companies, give them final meter readings and ask for final bill, give them your new address.
3) next day after leaving, write a letter tothe landlord at the address "for the serving of notices" asking for your deposit.
4) assuming no other reason for witholding it (rent arrears, damage etc), if LL doesnot return it, or quotes that clause, raise a dispute with the deposit scheme

sorted.