Does changing name on utility bill link us financially?

majicka

Hi there,

I recently moved into a house with some friends of mine, and after we moved in, we discovered that we have gas and electricity meters. All other utility bills have been allocated to a housemate, but the person who should be responsible for gas and electricity has done nothing to get us moved across to a standard tariff.

If I was to get us moved across from the meters to a tariff, and then switched the bill into my housemate's name (with his consent, of course), would I be deemed to be linked financially with him? Unfortunately, he does not have a very good credit score and I would not want to do anything to damage mine.

Cheers

MEM62

Of course not. Only financial products in joint names link you.

GingerBob_3

In theory, no. But be very careful with utility companies, especially the water companies. They sometimes do create financial associations in the CRA data files (a major failing of the CRA system for permitting this).


When you say electricity and gas meters do you mean pre-pay meters? In any event, when switching tariffs and account holders, do not provide the utility companies with any personal data other than your surname. Do not under any circumstances give them full name, DoB or previous addresses.

HappyMJ

Some utility companies report to the CRA's so you could in theory be linked. I would put everything all in one persons name and get each person in the house to pay them a sum of money each month and that person is to provide proof that the bills have been paid before getting another payment from the other housemates.

majicka

Thanks for the responses.

Unfortunately, we have tried to give each person a utility bill to deal with, but this particular housemate seems to be content using a pre-pay meter (presumably as he will not have to handle the bill), when everyone else in the house hates using them.

I'll see if I can get an account set up in my own name, then get this changed to my housemate's.

[Deleted User]

majicka wrote: »

Thanks for the responses.

Unfortunately, we have tried to give each person a utility bill to deal with, but this particular housemate seems to be content using a pre-pay meter (presumably as he will not have to handle the bill), when everyone else in the house hates using them.

I'll see if I can get an account set up in my own name, then get this changed to my housemate's.

If he wants a pre-pay meter, don't forget to adjust his contribution accordingly as a result of higher prices!