Use of Joint Account Following Separation

Senns

Hi,
I'm looking for some advice on how to proceed with regards to a joint account I have with my ex partner.

Just for some context, we separated over half a year ago, we own a house together jointly as tenants in common. I left the property following the separation to make things easier and now the house is currently on the market. I continue to pay into the joint account to pay the mortgage and bills I am liable for but he has also dropped back his contribution to the same amount as me but all the bills are still coming out of the joint account so I am essentially paying half for him to live there. I have asked him to change the payment details for the relevant services but he has ignored me.

I know freezing the account is an option but how would this be possible if the mortgage is being paid out of it? I could cancel the services or direct debits but what would stop him just reinstating them to be paid out of the joint account once again?

Any advice is welcome, thanks so much

Tom99

Remove your name from the joint account and then pay what you thing you owe into the account by standing order.

System

Some of the bills might be relevant to the house e.g. insurance and others only to the ex e.g. utility bills.

I would expect to pay towards the former but not latter.

SuperHan

Work out what you should be contributed (ie 50% of the bills you're willing to pay half of), let him know that you will be reducing your contributions to that and then do it.


You could also cancel the direct debits that have nothing to do with you so that they won't be paid out of the joint account...


Note that if the account becomes overdrawn or if any bills with your name on them are unpaid then it'll impact your credit report too.

Senns

Hi all, thanks for the information.
I am currently paying in an amount to the joint account that covers my half of the mortgage and the bills that are relevant to me. The problem is he has decided to only pay in the same amount so all the bills that are his sole responsibility are still essentially being paid by us both.

I'm scared of incurring fees from the bank/the impact on my credit rating if the account goes into negative equity as well as the huge ordeal that would be not meeting the mortgage repayments.

I am close to cancelling direct debits that aren't relevant to me as suggested by SuperHan (I have even warned my ex of such) but I am hesitant for several reasons.

I will contact my bank today and mortgage providers to let them know of the situation and see what they suggest.
Thanks again