Moving out ffrom shared rental with ex-bf

kitrat

Here is the situation, I'd appreciate your opinions:

Currently living with ex-boyfriend, mutual breakup.

Contract on flat rented with him runs for another 3 months after I plan on moving out. I will be paying him my share of the rent up to the end.

Who do you think should be responsible for paying the gas/elec/water/council tax after I have moved out? I understand that I am still legally responsible for them as per the contract but wondered what you felt on a 'moral' level?

Also would he be able to get single person discount on council tax? Or not as my name is on contract?

My parents are v. keen that I am not responsible for these bills, part of me feels some responsibility as that was the expectation when we moved into the place together. However arguably my non-financial expectations of him living together have not been met so not really sure how I should approach this.

Thanks for any opinions.

ska_lover

From my understanding of what you are saying, you and your ex are in a contract with the landlord for another three months, so possibly scuppered there. I am assuming the rent book is in both of your names?

The contract is for the house rental period only, not the bills I am assuming (as in it is not an all-inclusive deal rent/utilities all together)

Are your names on the gas, elec, water, council tax bills? I would phone all companies up and get my name removed and tell them I have had to move out due to unforeseen circumstances effective immediately - surely you cannot be expected to pay utilities after you moved out and your ex is living there. Do it sooner rather than later and give his details as the person who will be living there. Would I heck pay for an ex to stay warm lol

mountainofdebt

Personally I would take meter readings on the day I moved out,give him half and then take my name off the account

kitrat

ska_lover wrote: »

From my understanding of what you are saying, you and your ex are in a contract with the landlord for another three months, so possibly scuppered there. I am assuming the rent book is in both of your names?

The contract is for the house rental period only, not the bills I am assuming (as in it is not an all-inclusive deal rent/utilities all together)

Are your names on the gas, elec, water, council tax bills? I would phone all companies up and get my name removed and tell them I have had to move out due to unforeseen circumstances effective immediately - surely you cannot be expected to pay utilities after you moved out and your ex is living there. Do it sooner rather than later and give his details as the person who will be living there. Would I heck pay for an ex to stay warm lol

Haha yes this is my parents view. I am too much of a softy aren't I?

Sorry I wan't clear. Yes we are both named tenants on a 12-month contract which will end at the end of May. Bills are not included in the rent. All bills are paid by me currently, rent it paid by ex-bf and I have always just deducted what he owes me for bills from what I owe him for rent.

I am worried about taking my name off the bills as I want to be able to make sure they are all finalised properly when the contract ends so I can get my deposit back, though ex is not that irresponsible so it's probably unfounded worries.

fivetide

Well, have you spoken to your landlord?


As the ex has been staying there anyway, they might be happy to take your name off the lease and your ex just needs to give you the deposit.


As above though, call the various utility companies and give them the meter readings. They have no idea about whose name is on what contract, they've never seen it. Simply give them the readings, with him present if needed and tell them your forwarding address. You'll get the bills fairly promptly and his name will be on them from that moment.


Makes it easier for you getting re-connected at a new place if needed. Things like a phone/internet line for example, you might be able to advantage of 'new customer' status for some decent offers.


good luck.

Ms_Chocaholic

Have you told the landlord?
Is your ex moving out at the end of the 12 month contract.

If not, I think you ought to tell the landlord. Sometimes contracts aren't renewed as such and go into a rolling contract, no new contract is drawn up.

redcard

Council tax discount is 25%, not 50%.

Most posters here will probably tell you want you want to hear. If your boyfriend posted, people would be telling him you should still contribute to the bills.

Why should your ex pay more for electricity etc just because you decided not to stick to the terms of your agreement?

kitrat

fivetide wrote: »

Well, have you spoken to your landlord?


As the ex has been staying there anyway, they might be happy to take your name off the lease and your ex just needs to give you the deposit.


As above though, call the various utility companies and give them the meter readings. They have no idea about whose name is on what contract, they've never seen it. Simply give them the readings, with him present if needed and tell them your forwarding address. You'll get the bills fairly promptly and his name will be on them from that moment.


Makes it easier for you getting re-connected at a new place if needed. Things like a phone/internet line for example, you might be able to advantage of 'new customer' status for some decent offers.


good luck.

Thanks,

I haven't spoken to the landlord as I know ex will not take on the full rent himself. Going to double check this with him first though as there is no way I'm paying if someone else starts living here for the last months.

kitrat

Ms_Chocaholic wrote: »

Have you told the landlord?
Is your ex moving out at the end of the 12 month contract.

If not, I think you ought to tell the landlord. Sometimes contracts aren't renewed as such and go into a rolling contract, no new contract is drawn up.

He is moving out as far as I'm aware but not sure even he knows where to yet. But you're right I must inform the landlord asap, will do this a soon as my moving into a new place is a bit more finalised.

kitrat

redcard wrote: »

Council tax discount is 25%, not 50%.

Most posters here will probably tell you want you want to here. If your boyfriend posted, people would be telling him you should still contribute to the bills.

Why should your ex pay more for electricity etc just because you decided not to stick to the terms of your agreement?

Thanks yes I appreciate this. This has been my thinking too, I am in two minds. Though having said that he is only going to be charged what he uses, and I won't be using any so equally why should I pay?

And I am sticking to the terms of my agreement, I'm still paying the rent I owe and I'm still legally liable to pay the bills and will do so if necessary. Just need to work out the details.

I understand about the council tax discount, just wondered if he'd even be able to claim he discount as obviously this would influence what I pay him if I share the council tax in those months.

heartbreak_star

This happened to me - I gave ex a month's leeway where I still paid my share of the bills.

HBS x