liable for debt under age 18?

kirstybum

To cut a long story short, I lived with my ex partner and he took care of the bills. It then turned out that he'd had a secret drug habit and had got lots of credit in my name and had put my name on the bills that he hadn't paid.
I have since paid it all off minus one from Lowell saying that I owe money from a water bill from late 2009 for a water bill. At the time I would have been 17 and would like to know if I legally have to pay this. Any help is much appreciated thank you.

sourcrates

You have to be 18 in the UK to obtain credit period.

Send a covering letter along with a copy of your birth certificate to Lowell, they wont have a leg to stand on.

kirstybum

I tried to say it on the phone to them and they said that it wasn't credit it was a water bill which you can get when you're under 18. I asked for proof of the agreement to which they've sent me a statement from the address with bills racking up but in my eyes this proves nothing?

atolaas

sourcrates wrote: »

You have to be 18 in the UK to obtain credit period.

Send a covering letter along with a copy of your birth certificate to Lowell, they wont have a leg to stand on.

If you do as Sourcrates suggests you can prove you were under 18 at the time the debt was incurred and therefore not liable for the debt.

kirstybum

Does this rule include household bills please?

atolaas

kirstybum wrote: »

Does this rule include household bills please?

You are classed as a child if you are under 18 therefore not liable for debt.

sourcrates

kirstybum wrote: »

I tried to say it on the phone to them and they said that it wasn't credit it was a water bill which you can get when you're under 18. I asked for proof of the agreement to which they've sent me a statement from the address with bills racking up but in my eyes this proves nothing?

Actually they may be correct, you can live seperatly from your parents at age 16, consequently you would be liable for a water bill incurred at that age, any other form of consumer credit, loans, credit cards etc you would be covered on, but utility bills Hmmm !!!

I have scoured the internet but can find nothing in regard to liability for utility bills if your under 18.

kirstybum

I've had the same problem it doesn't seem to be clear, I'm on the phone to them now to see what they say, will keep you updated

kirstybum

They have said that they think I am liable but they are putting the account on hold and querying it with Severn trent as to their policy on account holders age. They offered me to put a settlement offer in which makes me think I'm right?

sourcrates

kirstybum wrote: »

They have said that they think I am liable but they are putting the account on hold and querying it with Severn trent as to their policy on account holders age. They offered me to put a settlement offer in which makes me think I'm right?

Thats good, you could ring Severn Trent yourself and find out also.

beetlebug1

Hi a friends daughter moved out at 16
The gas and electric were ok as they were on a pre payment meter but my friend had to put the water in her name as the daughter was under 18 this was with Essex & suffolk water