flatmate can't pay her bills am i responsible too?

olly300

superstylin wrote: »

i don't have the tenancy agreement to hand but it stated that the bond can be held until the bills are paid in full. it doesn't say that she will take the money to pay the bill only that she will withhold it (though i don't understand why that is, unless she doesn't want her property blacklisted?)

When and if she holds on to the money, it will be up to you to:
a. show this is an unfair clause
b. to show that the money being held is cannot be used to pay the bills because the LL is legally not allowed to gain information on the accounts not in her name (unless your flatmate gives permission.)

Utility companies ask for refundable deposits from new occupiers if they have backlisted an address.

superstylin

i guess the holding of the bond is tantamount to bribery. ie, pay your bills or you'll not get your bond back which is plainly not legal

superstylin

olly300 wrote: »

superstylin your landlady is allowed to keep part of your bond if your flatmate doesn't pay the rent.

Your landlady can not keep the deposit to cover 3rd party debts. She is not legally liable for debts owed by a third party and neither are you.

just an update, i rang my landlady over the wkend and explained that i was worried about the bond being taken becuase the flatmate was going to have trouble paying her rent. the landlady was very understanding and told me that she'd arrange a payment schedule with flatmate once she'd gotten in touch and that the bond would be taken only as a very last resort. so hopefully my bond will be safe.

as for the bills, i'm past caring after the advice given which says that i won't be liable or have any mark against my name so all sorted. thanks for your advice guys