Utility bills - leaving tenancy early

DandelionPatrol

rev_henry wrote: »

I'm not driving 70 miles just to read some meters. I hear what you're saying, but that is not going to happen as I'll be giving the keys back early.

I would if I could not get it covered. If you get on your high horse about it, you could find yourself having to argue that you are not liable for the bills for the following 9 months. It happens. We see it here and on the Utilities form all the time.

AdrianC

rev_henry wrote: »

I'm not driving 70 miles just to read some meters.

So ask the landlord... Or turn everything off...

Why then do the utility companies just ask me what date I moved out?

You "move out" on the day your tenancy ends. You might not be at the property before that - but you haven't "moved out" just because you go on holiday for a fortnight either...

HappyMJ

rev_henry wrote: »

I'm not driving 70 miles just to read some meters. I hear what you're saying, but that is not going to happen as I'll be giving the keys back early.
No early surrender agreement as such. I've paid rent until the end date, just will be giving the keys back early.

Why then do the utility companies just ask me what date I moved out?What I've always thought to happen was for tenant number 1 to close an account, tenant 2 to open a new account a couple of weeks later and the small amount of energy consumed in the meantime to be disregarded. Is this incorrect?

Turn everything off. Read the meters. You will be liable for any standing charges until the last date on the tenancy.

The landlord is liable for usage between tenancies but the energy companies rarely chase. They might only write to "the occupier" and won't know who is liable so most people won't pay and the energy company won't chase.