Who is responsible for the bills after a break up?

Imp

There is a chance that the accounts will be in credit when the final readings are taken. Would you split any rebate with him?

InsideInsurance

cgk1 wrote: »

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

Why would it make contractual law a nonsense? There is plenty of statute that overrides whatever is written in a contract

sinizterguy

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.

The last two times I have tried to register 2 names, they absolutely refused to do so and would put only mine (the caller's) name down.

Water and council tax were the only two I could get both our names on.

horsegirl

Who was living there and using these utilities?

duchy

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

Which utility company ?

Sounds like complete nonsense.

Makes no difference if it is Sky TV or gas - the person named on the bill is liable. That doesn't mean that less than honest companies won't try and imply to others that they have a legal liability when they don't however !

When_the_going_gets_tough

Actually the energy company can in certain circumstances argue that anyone living at the property has a share in the responsibility for the bills. It is apparently a complex area of law. Adviceguide touches on it but I am not sure it would help the OP.It is of more importance if the energy company are chasing you and you are not named on the bill. The action the OP takes does depend a bit on how much is owed I guess.

fawd1

My friend was in this situation. Her arrangement with her ex husband was that she would pay the mortgage and he would pay the bills, so they were in his name alone. They split up, he moved out and then she discovered he hadn't paid any of them for about 3-4 months (bar sky tv) She called the utlity companies, explained the situation and they all, without fail, said "Not a problem, we'll start a new contract with you and chase him for the debt. It's in his name so you're not liable" They were hugely understanding and made it incredibly easy for her.