Housemate/landlord has not paid bills

tedharris02

Hi all. Apologies if this is in the wrong section. I'm trying to understand where I stand legally in the current situation that Im in. From reading things on Citizens Advice, I think Im in the clear, but not 100% sure.

Basically, the person Ive been living with, who has the tenancy agreement on the house and the bills in his name, has around £3000 debt with British Gas. I am now looking for a new place to live but I want to make sure neither British Gas nor the Agency will start to chase me for this debt.

Here's the story:
- a while back I moved into a flat, which a friend already occupied (i.e. he has the contract with the agency)
- I started to pay him a monthly flat fee which covered rent and all bills
- I havent signed any contracts and my name isnt on any of the bills, but trusted him as Ive known him for over 8 years.

But here's where it gets interesting. I contacted the agency about the broken oven and found out that:
-he wasnt allowed to sublet the flat, and didnt inform the agency that he had done so
-he was facing eviction for 3 months worth of rent arrears, but this was eventually resolved
-though a letter addressed to 'the occupier' which I opened, that he owes British Gas £3000
-agency has my phone number and email, but thats about it

Obviously, Im looking for places to move into and live with someone who can be trusted, but if theres a possibility that I will be chased for the money I want to be prepared for whats to come.

molerat

If he is living there as the named and only tenant I believe you are a lodger with no responsibility for the rent or utilities.

pramsay13

I presume you mean you are looking for places to move into and live with someone who can be trusted rather than can't.

In answer to your question you are responsible for energy used while living at the property so you may be asked for it if the energy company find out you were living there during that time.

You would then have to prove you were paying your housemate a proportion to cover the bills although you have said you haven't signed any contracts so that might be tricky.

tedharris02

Yes, legally Im just a lodger, and assumed that was the case.

And correct pramsay, someone who can be trusted. I can show bank statements if need be to show I was paying him, but with 3k I assume he hasnt paid the bills for a VERY long time, well before I moved in as the lodger.

Id rather avoid the whole situation in the first place. And the hassle aside, the thing Im most worried about is getting taken to court over payments and threats of a CCJ. But this seems unlikely. Ill have no way of knowing if they do pursue me either, although I will set up a forwarding address for a few months with Royal Mail.

The only way the energy company could find out is if the agency tells them I suppose. Im not even sure if the agency have my full name.

Very frustrating situation to be in.

House_Martin

Suppliers will only deal with the account holder only and not get involved with third party disputes.
The account holder could try and reclaim money from you from the small claims court if he/she had anything down in writing.

tedharris02

Thanks, thats helpful.

I dont owe the account holder any money, so there is nothing to reclaim from me, and theres nothing down in writing either. He is the one in debt. I just didnt want his debts to become my problem somehow. Having to abruptly move out is enough of a pain in the butt.