Gas and Electric Bill dispute

aaron87

Hello,

Sorry in advanced for the long question.

Me and my girlfriend rented a house with another girl, our supplier for energy was with SSE, when me and my girlfriend moved out we obviously got our final meter readings sent across to SSE and they sent us a bill for aprox £600. by the time we got the bill me and my girlfriend had already moved house and settled in. I contacted the other house mate and she has flat out refused to pay the final bill, as far as she is concerned she has been paying the (estimated) bills every month and doesn't owe any more. I tried to explain the rules of estimated readings and final readings ect, but she is still refusing. I have spoke to SSE about this situation and they are saying even if me and my girlfriend pay our third of the bill we're ALL still responsible for remaining balance, which I understand completely.

so to the real question,

Am I in the right to assuming if I stop paying once mine and my girlfriends third has been paid off it will then go to court, and when it does go to court I can present all text messages I have sent to the other house mate (including her refusing to pay), plus our tenancy agreement and bills with all three of our names and address on?

Do you think I am being unreasonable? and do you think I have a leg to stand on?

Thanks in advanced for your help.

Aaron.

daveyjp

Whose name (s) is/are on the bill?

Andy_WSM

Sorry to say Aaron, you are jointly and severally liable - which means SSE will go after you for the balance if the housemate refuses to pay.

Totally understand your situation, but that doesn't mean you won't be chased for a payment i'm afraid.

aaron87

daveyjp wrote: »

Whose name (s) is/are on the bill?

All three of our names are on the final bill, exactly the same as the tenancy agreement.

Andy_WSM wrote: »

Sorry to say Aaron, you are jointly and severally liable - which means SSE will go after you for the balance if the housemate refuses to pay.

Totally understand your situation, but that doesn't mean you won't be chased for a payment i'm afraid.

I understand they'll chase me, as i am the only one in communication with them, but if it goes to court would they not understand and just tell this 3rd person that she has to pay her "fair share"

Andy_WSM

aaron87 wrote: »

I understand they'll chase me, as i am the only one in communication with them, but if it goes to court would they not understand and just tell this 3rd person that she has to pay her "fair share"

Nope. That's not their concern.

Andy_WSM

One course of action may be that you pay the bill then pursue the ex-housemate through small claims court.