phone line issue in rental property

tumbledowngirl

This morning, we received a letter from British Gas to tell us that the tenants informed them they left the property 3 weeks ago.
I rang British Gas to tell them that the tenants are still under an AST and are denying us access to the property - but the person I spoke to was very clear that that was my problem and they couldn't charge tenant after the time they were told they'd moved out.

The tenants actually moved out a month before the date they gave British Gas, so there's no reason they didn't give them the meter reading from that earlier date - which leaves us liable for all gas costs since but no way of getting into the property to check the heating settings etc.

Presumably we'll be told the same by the electric supplier and council tax people.

Is it simply a case of trying to get all costs back via small claims now, since they are now in rent arrears by 3 weeks so the deposit will not cover anything else?

anselld

tumbledowngirl wrote: »

This morning, we received a letter from British Gas to tell us that the tenants informed them they left the property 3 weeks ago.
I rang British Gas to tell them that the tenants are still under an AST and are denying us access to the property - but the person I spoke to was very clear that that was my problem and they couldn't charge tenant after the time they were told they'd moved out.

The tenants actually moved out a month before the date they gave British Gas, so there's no reason they didn't give them the meter reading from that earlier date - which leaves us liable for all gas costs since but no way of getting into the property to check the heating settings etc.

Presumably we'll be told the same by the electric supplier and council tax people.

Is it simply a case of trying to get all costs back via small claims now, since they are now in rent arrears by 3 weeks so the deposit will not cover anything else?

British Gas and other utilities should equally not open a new account in your name until you have told them you have taken back possession and given them an opening reading for the account. If they choose not to bill the occupants until then thats up to them.

Going back to being denied access, how are the T actually doing this? Do you not yet have sufficient evidence for abandonment?

tumbledowngirl

anselld wrote: »

British Gas and other utilities should equally not open a new account in your name until you have told them you have taken back possession and given them an opening reading for the account. If they choose not to bill the occupants until then thats up to them.

Going back to being denied access, how are the T actually doing this? Do you not yet have sufficient evidence for abandonment?

British Gas told me we would be responsible for the bill now, until a new tenant's details were passed to them. They also told me to ring another department to organise the bills to be sent to our home address, not the rental property.

Regarding access, the last email we had from the tenants asked why we wanted access and tried to claim that either ourselves or the LA had entered the property without permission previously.

chris_m

tumbledowngirl wrote: »

British Gas told me we would be responsible for the bill now, until a new tenant's details were passed to them. They also told me to ring another department to organise the bills to be sent to our home address, not the rental property.

Give 'em the tenants' alternative address

tumbledowngirl

anselld wrote: »

British Gas and other utilities should equally not open a new account in your name until you have told them you have taken back possession and given them an opening reading for the account. If they choose not to bill the occupants until then thats up to them.

Going back to being denied access, how are the T actually doing this? Do you not yet have sufficient evidence for abandonment?

Husband rang British Gas again this morning and put forward your argument that we hadn't taken repossession of the property...and they accepted it. Tenants have simply moved their account to their new address so they'll be billed for our property there.

Also spoke to the council tax people who were VERY interested to hear from us, since there is already a dispute concerning the tenants (we weren't allowed to be told the details, but I suspect they've tried to pull a fast one).

What a tangled web...

chris_m

tumbledowngirl wrote: »

Husband rang British Gas again this morning and put forward your argument that we hadn't taken repossession of the property...and they accepted it. Tenants have simply moved their account to their new address so they'll be billed for our property there.

Good news, and some that "may" help you to get things resolved. The more bills the tenants find that they have to pay for two properties may urge them to get things sorted with yours.

Also spoke to the council tax people who were VERY interested to hear from us, since there is already a dispute concerning the tenants (we weren't allowed to be told the details, but I suspect they've tried to pull a fast one).

More grist to the mill, methinks they are going to find themselves needing to get things resolved quickly - especially when they realise that they not only have to pay the utilities but also council tax for a "second home", at whatever the rate is in your area.

Sam9114

Hey! You should call BT customer services-0844 800 3114. Each call will cost you just 5 pence per minute.They will help you to know all of the information regarding BT.Hope this helps.