Who is responsible for the bills after a break up?

jolester

Hi,

My partner and I have recently split. We were living in rented accommodation (neither of us live there now) and the bills were in my name, he is saying that as they were in my name alone he is not responsible for paying half towards any outstanding gas and water bills, could someone confirm is this is the case before I try and take it any further please?

Many thanks

Jitterbug123

Legally I think that as they are in your name you are responsible for them.

I suppose if you have some form of contract drawn up, or anything in writing, stating that you would both pay for them, then you could take him to small claims court.

Morally, of course you're both responsible.

jolester

Thank you for your help

RAS

Legally the suppliers will chase you only as you are the only named person on the bill. Unless you have something in writing regarding how bills would be split between you chasing him via the courts would be dififcult.

Have you checked that Council Tax was up to date? They will chase both of you for any debt on that.

jolester

I have checked council tax thank you, all seems paid in full

InsideInsurance

Certainly when I worked for a utilities provider we were always trained that all adult occupants were jointly and severably liable for the full bill but the challenge was not always having all names to chance hence we were pushed to capture all names of occupants even if the caller only wanted their name on the bill.

If the training is true then you are both liable for 100% of the utility bills, that doesnt mean the energy companies can get double money but it does mean they dont have to just get 50/50 from each party or only chase those named.

For things like Sky TV then this is a basic contract and so just those named are laible

BitterAndTwisted

Legally, you are totally responsible for settling any outstanding utility bills.

Morally, he should pay you for his half of them.

The relationship has ended and in his mind, so has his responsibility for paying you.

There will be no "taking it further" other than trying to appeal to his better nature. And from his response to you it appears that he doesn't have one. Or any integrity either. Sounds like you're well rid!

ameliarate

Judge Judy would make him pay you half. Try the small claims court. Selfish pig he is.

lulu_92

ameliarate wrote: »

Judge Judy would make him pay you half. Try the small claims court. Selfish pig he is.

Go on Judge Rinder!

zzzLazyDaisy

The bills are in your sole name.

Legally that makes them your sole responsibility, as between you and the provider.

You could try making a claim in the small claims court, on the basis that he lived in the house under a joint tenancy, and it was always intended and understood that - as between you and him - you were jointly responsible for the bills. Without evidence, such as a transfer of money from his account to yours in respect of earlier similar bills, I wouldn't fancy your chances though.

More importantly, in my view, it would not be worth the expense, hassle and heartache, of chasing this matter through the court.

People can get nasty when relationships break down. My cousin's partner owed money on a large debt. It was that bad that the bailiffs came round when he was out, which scared her half to death as that was the first she knew about it. He had other debts so persuaded her to take out a loan in her own name to clear that debts and the others, so they 'could have a clean slate and start again'. Once the debts were cleared, he left her with two young children and went off with his gf. As he left, he handed her the paperwork for the loan and told her that it was her responsibility as it was in her name, and there was nothing she could do about it.

He was right

cgk1

InsideInsurance wrote: »

Certainly when I worked for a utilities provider we were always trained that all adult occupants were jointly and severably liable for the full bill but the challenge was not always having all names to chance hence we were pushed to capture all names of occupants even if the caller only wanted their name on the bill.

If the training is true then you are both liable for 100% of the utility bills, that doesnt mean the energy companies can get double money but it does mean they dont have to just get 50/50 from each party or only chase those named.

For things like Sky TV then this is a basic contract and so just those named are laible

it's not - otherwise contractual law would be a nonsense.