Housemates refusing to pay bills... where do I stand?

Winehouse

I'm a student and have recently moved out of my third year house share, the tenancy for which ends at the end of the month.

To cut a long story short, we've had final gas and electricity bills and my housemates are ignoring my requests to pay their share. The accounts for both are in the name of our letting agency, as opposed to any individual and as yet I haven't paid anything as I'm not willing to do so while they are holding back.

The reason I'm dealing with this is I registered an online account for the gas (however it wouldn't let me do this for the electric for some reason) so I get the gas bill emailed to me and typically my housemates would put their share of all bills into my account, which I would then pay.

I just want to know where I stand, as I don't want to be held responsible for the full amount. Out letting agency holds our deposits in a bond which we're due to get back next month when the tenancy has ended, so I'm assuming if we ignore these bills we could be at risk of them deducting amounts owed from our deposits?

Does anybody have any advice? Thanks in advance.

lstar337

Winehouse wrote: »

I'm a student and have recently moved out of my third year house share, the tenancy for which ends at the end of the month.

To cut a long story short, we've had final gas and electricity bills and my housemates are ignoring my requests to pay their share. The accounts for both are in the name of our letting agency, as opposed to any individual and as yet I haven't paid anything as I'm not willing to do so while they are holding back.

The reason I'm dealing with this is I registered an online account for the gas (however it wouldn't let me do this for the electric for some reason) so I get the gas bill emailed to me and typically my housemates would put their share of all bills into my account, which I would then pay.

I just want to know where I stand, as I don't want to be held responsible for the full amount. Out letting agency holds our deposits in a bond which we're due to get back next month when the tenancy has ended, so I'm assuming if we ignore these bills we could be at risk of them deducting amounts owed from our deposits?

Does anybody have any advice? Thanks in advance.

If they are in the name of your letting agency, then it will be their responsibility to chase for payment.

Speak to your LA about paying your share, then you are free to go and the LA can chase your house-mates for their share.

If the bill were in your name(s) then you would be in hot water, as the utility co's will hold you jointly and individually responsible. Meaning if they can't get it off one they'll persue anyone they think they can get the whole amount from. This is usually the good responsible person who does pay their due's. Sadly.

IMHO, it is your LA problem, as they (foolishly) set up the account in their name.

Cardew

As said above, you are lucky that the bills are in the name of the LA.


Obviously the LA should deduct any unpaid bill from your deposit. I would write(not telephone) to the LA and explain that there will be unpaid energy bills to which your housemates are unwilling to contribute.


Pin a copy up in the house!