We’d like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum.
This is to keep it a safe and useful space for MoneySaving discussions. Threads that are – or become – political in nature may be removed in line with the Forum’s rules. Thank you for your understanding.
PLEASE READ BEFORE POSTING: Hello Forumites! In order to help keep the Forum a useful, safe and friendly place for our users, discussions around non-MoneySaving matters are not permitted per the Forum rules. While we understand that mentioning house prices may sometimes be relevant to a user's specific MoneySaving situation, we ask that you please avoid veering into broad, general debates about the market, the economy and politics, as these can unfortunately lead to abusive or hateful behaviour. Threads that are found to have derailed into wider discussions may be removed. Users who repeatedly disregard this may have their Forum account banned. Please also avoid posting personally identifiable information, including links to your own online property listing which may reveal your address. Thank you for your understanding.
📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!
Dispute with former tenant- overpaid bills
moneymiser113
Posts: 59 Forumite
Hello everyone, I will try and explain this as simply as I can.
I moved into a flat share with 2 women in December of 2012 (let's call them Bo and Ka). They knew each other already as friends and although I was a stranger at first, we soon got on with each other.
The tenancy agreement started from that month. We split up admin responsibilities regarding bills to share the burden: I managed the internet bills, Bo managed our council tax bills, Ka managed the water bills. Each person paid their 'assigned' bill each month in full and the other 2 would set up a standing order to pay their share of the costs.
For example, let's say each bill was £60 a month (they actually varied a bit but let's keep this simple for now!). So in my case I would pay each month: £60 internet, £20 council tax to Bo and £20 water cost to Ka. And vice versa for Bo and Ka. got it? good. :rolleyes:
This situation carried on for 12 months and they both left the flat after this period. I stayed on for the next year and thus inherited the admin work for council tax and water bills. Now here's the problem:
With the water bills now registered in my name, I was able to log on to their website (Thames Water) and view the payment plan for the upcoming year. I also had access to the previous year's bill. What I noticed when viewing the bill history for the previous year was that myself and Bo had been paying Ka FAR MORE than what was required.
So in this case, the water bills had actually been £30 a month, not £60. (so £10 each person, not £20). Ka had been paying the £30 each month buy was receiving £20 from myself and £20 from Bo. Ka owes us money as we overpaid for a whole year!
After letting Ka know of this honest (?) error on her part, she cut all contact with us. Ditched Bo as a friend and left us over a hundred pounds short changed.
Do Bo and I have any legal way of getting our money back? please help
thanks
I moved into a flat share with 2 women in December of 2012 (let's call them Bo and Ka). They knew each other already as friends and although I was a stranger at first, we soon got on with each other.
The tenancy agreement started from that month. We split up admin responsibilities regarding bills to share the burden: I managed the internet bills, Bo managed our council tax bills, Ka managed the water bills. Each person paid their 'assigned' bill each month in full and the other 2 would set up a standing order to pay their share of the costs.
For example, let's say each bill was £60 a month (they actually varied a bit but let's keep this simple for now!). So in my case I would pay each month: £60 internet, £20 council tax to Bo and £20 water cost to Ka. And vice versa for Bo and Ka. got it? good. :rolleyes:
This situation carried on for 12 months and they both left the flat after this period. I stayed on for the next year and thus inherited the admin work for council tax and water bills. Now here's the problem:
With the water bills now registered in my name, I was able to log on to their website (Thames Water) and view the payment plan for the upcoming year. I also had access to the previous year's bill. What I noticed when viewing the bill history for the previous year was that myself and Bo had been paying Ka FAR MORE than what was required.
So in this case, the water bills had actually been £30 a month, not £60. (so £10 each person, not £20). Ka had been paying the £30 each month buy was receiving £20 from myself and £20 from Bo. Ka owes us money as we overpaid for a whole year!
After letting Ka know of this honest (?) error on her part, she cut all contact with us. Ditched Bo as a friend and left us over a hundred pounds short changed.
Do Bo and I have any legal way of getting our money back? please help
thanks
0
Comments
-
What proof of the agreement do you have?
Frankly, it seems like a beginner's mistake to happily pay whatever amount she told you too without ever asking to see the bill...0 -
Hi. What agreement? The tenancy agreement I have a copy of. the water bills I have copies of. I have bank statements showing money ins/out to her.jjlandlord wrote: »What proof of the agreement do you have?
Frankly, it seems like a beginner's mistake to happily pay whatever amount she told you too without ever asking to see the bill...
In terms of checking with her the amounts, I actually did. The first bill was £60 (which she told myself and Bo upon seeing it) but every subsequent bill was £30 (which she didnt tell us. She must have seen 60 leave her account initially and then asked us for a standing order each month for £20...0 -
Life is just too short and Karma will catch up with BO one day.
It is a small world.0 -
Its annoying to have overpaid £100 but what can you actually do? Is it really worth locating 'Bo', taking her to court or whatever else you have to do to get the £100 repaid?
Just set it up differently another time so you all meet up, showing bills and split the actual bill amount equally.
Its a life lesson, a cheap one, if you pay money out for anything, u need to see a bill.0 -
Write a Letter Before Action detailing the amounts you paid and the months paid and copies of the actual bills.
State that this amount is owed and how it can be paid (cheque/bank transfer)
State that you want a reply in 7 days and then you will be pursuing the matter in court as is your right.
You may also want to add that you may accept a repayment plan.
Keep a copy of the letter and post from two separate post offices keeping the free receipt of proof of postage. Do not send recorded delivery as she could refuse to sign.
Then sit back and wait.
If there is no reply then it is up to you whether it is worth taking to small claims court.
I do not disagree with the previous comments but I also do not believe that people should 'get away' with this kind of behaviour! The letter itself may be enough to get her to repay.0 -
Did Ka have showers whereas you guys constantly had baths? Were you guys constantly using the washing machine?
Council tax is fixed, internet is fixed and plenty of online calculators would of given you an idea about water costs.0 -
Did Ka have showers whereas you guys constantly had baths? Were you guys constantly using the washing machine?
Council tax is fixed, internet is fixed and plenty of online calculators would of given you an idea about water costs.
From what the OP has said I do not believe this is relevant.
They made a oral agreement that they would split the bills in a certain way.0 -
You can ask politely for the money back.
You can issue threats.
You can sue.
Which and how many of the above you do is your choice.
If it went to court, you would have to prove
a) what the verbal agreement was (ie Ka to pay the water bill and you and Bo to re-imburse 1/3rd of the cost each) and
b) what Ka actually paid and
c) what you and Bo paid her
Assuming you prove the above and court believes you (Ka might enter some defence), you will win.
The lesson for the future, and for others, in house-share arrangements, is to always sit down at regular intervals (monthly? quarterly?) and go through the bills, add up who has paid what, and then balance out the payments.0 -
The water bills were also a fixed rate. so this is not a concern.Did Ka have showers whereas you guys constantly had baths? Were you guys constantly using the washing machine?
Council tax is fixed, internet is fixed and plenty of online calculators would of given you an idea about water costs.
When I saw they were £39 each per month I was surprised by we thought that was because bills are simply expensive in this day and age.
To some posters above, remember it's 'Ka' who has severed ties with us and possesses our money. Not 'Bo', who is in the same boast as me. She is just as shocked as me, especially for losing a long term friend.0 -
Again, what evidence do you have of the agreement (amongst you re. the bills, obviously)?0
This discussion has been closed.
Confirm your email address to Create Threads and Reply
Categories
- All Categories
- 352.1K Banking & Borrowing
- 253.5K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
- 454.2K Spending & Discounts
- 245.1K Work, Benefits & Business
- 600.7K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
- 177.4K Life & Family
- 258.9K Travel & Transport
- 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
- 16.2K Discuss & Feedback
- 37.6K Read-Only Boards