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

stator

Put your complaint in writing to the Energy companies.
Then once they reply you can take it to the ombudsman

Also might try Citizens Advice

FBaby

I'm unsure why your so defensive about this (though I suspect that you do the same with your tenants?)

Ha ha, it's typical, I can be cynical at times, but this time there really wasn't any innuendo behind my question, was genuinely wondering if it did apply to being liable to setting up an account, as if it did, I would have liked to read it. I wasn't doubting your words!!

Here I was prepared to take your word as advice and you throw it back at me

ps: don't have tenants myself any longer but how dare you say I would do the same, surely I don't come across as a thief on the forum??

Guest101

FBaby wrote: »

Ha ha, it's typical, I can be cynical at times, but this time there really wasn't any innuendo behind my question, was genuinely wondering if it did apply to being liable to setting up an account, as if it did, I would have liked to read it. I wasn't doubting your words!!

Here I was prepared to take your word as advice and you throw it back at me

ps: don't have tenants myself any longer but how dare you say I would do the same, surely I don't come across as a thief on the forum??

Confusion all round I guess.


There is nothing wrong realistically (many agents get permission in writing to pass on details - usually in exchange for a small commission) in passing over name(s) of tenant(s) to utility providers. They will have a deemed contract upon moving in, and perfectly reasonable for the utility supplier to have those.


The OP mentioned that the utility supplier was 'taking the landlords side' - which sounded like they were discussing the account with the landlord. Something they cannot do.


I wasn't calling you a thief (nor am I calling the LL in this case one either), - when I said I suspect you do this - I meant in relation to setting up accounts in your tenants names.


Unfortunately in this case the LL has perhaps been less than truthful

FBaby

Thank God for the clarification in my assumption you were referring to me charging tenants for utilities they haven't used!

It sound like whether tenant or landlord, one is legally entitled to give the name of the other to the utility company, and for the company to assume that the information provided that person to be correct and accurate, the onus then falls on the person challenging that information to prove it wrong, in the case of OP, by proving they didn't move on the date stated, in the case I made reference to, by proving that the tenants had moved at a later date.

This Landlord is definitely a thief having lied as to when OP moved in and using the date of the tenancy agreement to support their claim. Disgusting behaviour!

dimbo61

How much are we talking about ££££ ?
Have you given the current meter readings to the gas/electric/water companies ?
If you say they THINK people were living in the property over the summer and using the gas/electric/water then you should be owing money for gas/electric/water you have not used yet.
JULY and August are normally the cheapest months as little if any heating on and No one in the property at night so no lights/TV etc.
Now unless the LL has rebuilt the property or Big extension then little in the way of gas/electric for power tools etc.

YES Student Landlords often charge Half rent over the summer
Some Student Landlords do not charge any rent over summer
Some Student Landlords Charge FULL RENT over summer
Some Big Student Accommadation Providers charge for 50 weeks rent !!
This depends on area and demand

PS 3 unrelated people living together is not a HMO in many areas of the country.


Check has the property got a Gas Safe Certificate, Working CO Alarm and Smoke alarms ?

KingS6

Does the contract state that if you agree to it you consent for the LL to pass your details to the utility companies, including opening accounts?