Landlord attempting to force us to pay utilities for months before we moved in

marksoton

Annabee wrote: »

Just to say that paying rent over the summer is very common in university areas. It happened to my daughter and her friends - they had to pay half rent for July and August, but couldn't move in until September 1st. It seems unfair, but if all the local letting agents are doing it the students just have to go along with it.

Just pure greed on the landlords' and agents' behalf - are they not making enough profit by packing in as many rooms as possible and charging the maximum per room? They would get far less if they rented the whole house out to a local family. So the whole thing is a detriment to the area really.

However in my daughter's experience there was never any mention of paying for utilities during July and August - I think your landlord is a bit of a crook, OP. I would fight this.

I never had to do it when i was a student.

As far as i'm concerned if you go into the student rental market you should accept you will have a void period. It's wrong. As for the bills, that's beyond the pale.

FBaby

http://www.rla.org.uk/landlord/guides/electricity_and_gas_charges.shtml

teddysmum

Go along to the local MP's surgery (details will be online) and discuss the matter with him/her. They will have links with the local council, who may well be interested in any fiddling.


Has this landlord produced the relevant safety check certificates ?

marcarm

Etheon6000 wrote: »

Okay, so the landlord has said that we were not allowed to move in until September 1st, but are expected to pay utilities standing charges from July 1st, as that is when the tenancy starts. When I queried this, they essentially called my bluff, saying they were well within their rights.

Does anyone have a name or link to a specific law/rule i can hit them with that proves this is wrong?

Thanks so much for all the replies this far

So is the LL paying the usage charges and expecting you to pay the standing charges? Or are they expecting you to pay the whole bill?

Tropically

Landlords try to rip you off at every step - don't let them get away with it. Also check that your landlord has protected your deposit.

marksoton

Tropically wrote: »

Landlords try to rip you off at every step - don't let them get away with it. Also check that your landlord has protected your deposit.

And conversely tenants can rip off LL's.

baldelectrician

Get an app for your phone that records the calls (as long as you don't have an I-device)
Do some test calls with it to make sure the quality is OK- some upload to dropbox and email the call.


Call the utility company and after the wait to talk to someone ask if they are recording the call (they will say YES).
Say - that's fine, you are recording the call as well.


Go through the story and ask to speak to a manager- do not accept a call back, tell them you will wait


Ask who set up the account (they will give the OP name). Point out they are breaking DPA by talking to a third party as you didn't set up the account.
Ask them how YOU are liable for an account you did not set up, know of or have use of until you moved in.


Ask them why you are liable for charges prior to your tenancy starting- point out the tenancy starts when you get the keys.


Start a formal complaint and ask for the bill to be suspended and require them to cease all collection activities.


Send in a subject access request (ask for copies of all calls). This will help if it goes to court / regulator


Make sure the call is recorded, and they know it- they will be more 'awake' and less likely to talk out of their armpit.


Please ensure the formal complaint process is started and make sure you get a complaint reference number.

bris

The op clearly had a verbal contract for the first 2 months and a written contract from the move in date.


The verbal contract is binding and the terms were for securing the property from 1st July to 1 Sept. Written contracts are neat and all great as proof but verbal contracts are just as binding especially when they don't deny it so all this talk of not being liable until move in date is just plain wrong.


For me they are liable for the standing charges and the LL for the usage.

FBaby

Point out they are breaking DPA by talking to a third party as you didn't set up the account. Ask them how YOU are liable for an account you did not set up, know of or have use of until you moved in.

Does the DPA say that you can't be liable for an account that you didn't set up? If so, any link to support it?

The_Earl_of_Streatham

bris wrote: »

The op clearly had a verbal contract for the first 2 months and a written contract from the move in date.


The verbal contract is binding and the terms were for securing the property from 1st July to 1 Sept. Written contracts are neat and all great as proof but verbal contracts are just as binding especially when they don't deny it so all this talk of not being liable until move in date is just plain wrong.


For me they are liable for the standing charges and the LL for the usage.

The OP had no contract at all with the utilities companies. The landlord had no right to set one up with or without their agreement and the utilities company have no business setting up accounts for parties with whom they have had no contact.