Utility bills after relationship breakdown

My daughter has recently split from her husband. She has moved out of the family home, and her husband still lives there. The problem is, all the bills are in her name (gas, elec, council tax etc.) They are all paid by direct debit on her personal bank account.

She is now renting a place and has her own bills to pay. He is refusing to give her the money to put into her account to cover the bills for the family home. She is on a low income, and it is likely that her bank account will drain empty and direct debits will start failing, which means debts will clock up against her name.

How can she quickly get all these bills transferred to his name. She can't rely on him to do it because he's the sort of person who never deals with anything. Even if the utility companies write to him and ask for his bank details, he's unlikely to reply.

Can she contact these companies and get the accounts transferred into her ex's name without his involvement, so that any debts are clocked up against his name not hers?

Comments

  • My daughter has recently split from her husband. She has moved out of the family home, and her husband still lives there. The problem is, all the bills are in her name (gas, elec, council tax etc.) They are all paid by direct debit on her personal bank account.

    She is now renting a place and has her own bills to pay. He is refusing to give her the money to put into her account to cover the bills for the family home. She is on a low income, and it is likely that her bank account will drain empty and direct debits will start failing, which means debts will clock up against her name.

    How can she quickly get all these bills transferred to his name. She can't rely on him to do it because he's the sort of person who never deals with anything. Even if the utility companies write to him and ask for his bank details, he's unlikely to reply.

    Can she contact these companies and get the accounts transferred into her ex's name without his involvement, so that any debts are clocked up against his name not hers?


    She just needs to contact the energy supplier and say she's moved out. She doesn't need to state who currently lives there, a lot of people that move homes don't.

    If he keeps refusing to pay/ignoring letters addressed to "The Occupier", they will come round and fit a Pre Payment Meter.
  • StuC75
    StuC75 Posts: 2,065 Forumite
    Cancel Direct debits in the first instance..

    Assume She has already notified the council tax anyway as will now need to pay elsewhere.

    Can she get into the property to obtain final readings..

    Is the family home mortgaged? is he agreeing to make the full mortgage payment in her absence..
  • Cardew
    Cardew Posts: 29,058 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Rampant Recycler
    If possible get hold of the meter readings for gas/electricity/water(if applicable) If not estimate(in her favour)

    Ring water/gas/electricity/council and inform them that her husband is now the occupant wef XXXX

    Then ring the bank and cancel all direct debits.
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