Tenant left with unpaid bills - Advice

phill79

Hi, Our tenant left the house earlier than there tenancy agreement, so first of all the council tried chasing us for the remaining council tax. This was sorted out by showing them a copy of the agreement, but it now appears that British Gas are now chasing us for unpaid money to the tune of about £200 for a time when the tenants were in. We have agreed to pay from the time when they left as we have a meter reading from there but BG say if we don't have a forwarding address for the old tenants, they will be chasing us for it. We do pay a lettings agent to manage the house but they don't have a forwarding address either.
Can anyone advise what would be the best course of action here, obviously I don't want any black marks against my name but equally I don't want to pay the bill that isn't mine if I don't have to.
Thanks

terryw

Did you give readings when the tenant moved in and have the account changed from your name to the tenant?

phill79

terryw wrote: »

Did you give readings when the tenant moved in and have the account changed from your name to the tenant?

Hi,
Yes, we have never been with BG at that address so it had been in their names for the 2+ years they were in the house. We then got a bill to our home address from BG addressed to us which the letting agent must have done.

terryw

OK. The liability lies with the tenant. Point this out to the supplier quite firmly and pass on the new address if you wish.

phill79

terryw wrote: »

OK. The liability lies with the tenant. Point this out to the supplier quite firmly and pass on the new address if you wish.

What if we don't have a new address for them? Is it up to them to track them down or us to provide one?

terryw

Not your problem. Just let them know you that you have no forwarding address.

Pixie5740

Sounds like BG are just blowing smoke to see if you'll pay up. Path of least resistance.

If the tenants left owing rent or money for damages it is possible for you to track them down using a service such as Finder Monkey.

whalster

You would be better renting this out yourself to keep a closer monitor on your tenant .
I always get a family member address and phone number from tenants ' in case of emergency' which in truth maybe an actual emergency or a brilliant means of tracking the, down if required .
Check facebook they maybe posting where they are now and they will have a list of friends on facebook I have used this for tracking down and issuing a claim for money owed to me .
As has been said above you can tell BG to take a hike if you like but if you can find out their address or even pass on the emergency address utility companies will be the Bain of their life.

phill79

Thanks for your help. It has given me the confidence I needed.

G_M

Put it in writing to BG. Or if using the phone, make a careful note of what is said, name of person, date/time.

Double_V

Yeah I agree social media will give you some information.
People post everything on Facebook.
Good luck.
I hope it gets sorted for you.