Water Bill

hukd.deals

Hi,

I've just moved into a rented flat. The day I moved I met my landlord for the first time and this is what he said apart from other things, "By law, name on the bill must be of the owner of the property and only applies to water bill but not electricity or gas.".

Is it true? I've been renting for a long long time and have never come across this. I think it is illegal\inappropriate to ask me not to have the account on my name.

Thanks

jbainbridge

Wrong.

Is he going to pay it?

princeofpounds

Of course it is wrong. He likely wants to keep one bill in his name so he can claim residence of the property (almost certainly to maintain a residential mortgage rather than BTL, but there could be other reasons like tax dodging).

It is inappropriate. It isn't illegal in itself though it could be related to unlawful activities, but it's hard to imagine a scenario where you yourself get in trouble for anything.

hukd.deals

Thanks for the replies. So who will liable for the bills when they arrive? Shouldn't he be worried in case I refuse to pay??

G_M

If his name is on the bill the water company will chase him for payment.

Mind you, expect some arguments down the line when he starts chasing you for reimbursement!

What does the tenncy agreement say about water charges?

anselld

The only case this can be true from a practical point of view is if there is more than one flat on a single incoming supply with sub-meters. In that case tha main bill must be held be the Landlord but he must not charge a profit when passing it on to the tenants.

hukd.deals

anselld wrote: »

The only case this can be true from a practical point of view is if there is more than one flat on a single incoming supply with sub-meters. In that case tha main bill must be held be the Landlord but he must not charge a profit when passing it on to the tenants.

don't think that is the case. I am sure all flats have separate meters.

hukd.deals

G_M wrote: »

If his name is on the bill the water company will chase him for payment.

Mind you, expect some arguments down the line when he starts chasing you for reimbursement!

What does the tenncy agreement say about water charges?

nothing on the tenancy agreement regarding the water bill

hukd.deals

G_M wrote: »

If his name is on the bill the water company will chase him for payment.

Mind you, expect some arguments down the line when he starts chasing you for reimbursement!

What does the tenncy agreement say about water charges?

Thanks. And in that case what would be my position legally? can he force me or take legal action?

kinger101

hukd.deals wrote: »

Thanks. And in that case what would be my position legally? can he force me or take legal action?

What outcome do you want? Getting your name on the bill? Getting evicted, and not being able to get a good reference?

Two wrongs don't make a right.

davidmcn

hukd.deals wrote: »

Thanks. And in that case what would be my position legally? can he force me or take legal action?

Well, if your name isn't on the bill, and the tenancy agreement doesn't say anything about it, then probably not. But for the sake of a quiet life you might want to just pay it (I presume he is expecting you to pay it - you don't make that clear).