Landlord charging backdated utilities

kilan

AnotherJoe wrote: »

Rather than ignore it id write a very short letter back to the landlord pointing out that since your tenancy agreement stipulates that rent includes the services mentioned, he’s obviously made a mistake. I’d leave it at that and not even say “therefore I wont be paying it”.

I’d also expect sometime later to get a letter telling you that either rent is going up, services will no longer be included, or they would like you to leave.

I think this might be the way to go! thank you and be prepared to move as the worst case scenario.

kilan

Comms69 wrote: »

No, because s.21 notice of intention to evict (not an eviction notice itself.) is no-fault. It can be used no matter what. - it could be used even if you paid.

Duly noted, cheers.

Smodlet

kilan wrote: »

Yeah, I am certainly not willing to pay, however, I think they will force me to agree to a new tenancy agreement for a period of 6 months but I am not planning to stay for that long or they will probably provide me notice for eviction.

Perhaps they like to complicate things for their own amusement/some reason we don't know of rather than just raise the rent. Perhaps there is some reason why they cannot do this yet? Fact remains, if you rent, you are in someone else's property, not your own. While there are, as is only just, laws in place to protect tenants' rights ultimately, if a property owner wants their property back, they will get it back with or without a load of legal hassle.

You say you don't want to stay for another six months so I would start looking for somewhere else now and, in the meantime, don't even consider paying for a load of extraneous charges for which you are not liable; it says so in your tenancy agreement. Good luck.

G_M

kilan wrote: »

I have been sent an invoice asking for 6 months backdated charges for water and landline and internet without being provided with any written notice in advance regarding these new additional charges.

Previously this was included in the rent and my tenancy agreement stipulates Water and Phone and Internet is provided within the rent.

How am I expected to pay hefty utility charges without being informed of these changes?

Dear Mr Landlord,

Further to your invoice number 12345, dated xx/xx/18, which I received today, I refer you to my tenancy agreement (copy enclosed).

Clause X.1 states:
" blah blah utilitty costs included in rent blah blar - whtever."

Therefore this invoice is inapplicabe and no further action will be taken.

yours sincerely,

Kilan



But as others have said:

depending if you are in a fixed term contract, or periodic, you might either receive a S21 Notice (to evict) or a S13 Notice (rent increase)

If rent increase, it cannot be back-dated..