is the landlord liable for unpaid gas/electric bills

MHedge

I am a landlord for a property and have recently found that there is a substantial unpaid bill for gas and electric under my name.
The property has been occupied by students for the last 2 years. The bill is for the period September 2016 to June 2017. During this time none of the tenants contacted the energy company to inform them that they were living there. During that year there was originally 5 tenants although 2 left around January 2017.
Two of the tenants returned to live in the property for the period September 2017 to June 2018. However, this time they did contact the energy supplier and paid the bills until they recently vacated.
I am not sure how to precede or who is liable for the unpaid bill during the September 2016 – June 2017 period. I have not contacted the energy supplier to inform them of meter readings. Also, I issued no tenancy agreement indicating clear guideline regarding who was responsible for the bill (stupid I know). The only document I had tenant sign was a deposit agreement, for each year. This stated the date the deposit was received.
From reading other forums I think I am probably liable. However, is there a way I can prove that tenants were living in the property. After all the energy company should have a record of the two who continued living there and paid the bill for the following year.
Obviously I will be reviewing my tenancy agreements for future tenants.

sevenhills

MHedge wrote: »

From reading other forums I think I am probably liable.

Also, I issued no tenancy agreement indicating clear guideline regarding who was responsible for the bill (stupid I know).

You have answered your own question. I am sure others can point you towards a tenancy agreement template for the next tenants, you need to take charge of the issues, or get a management company tro do it.

mije1983

If the supply was still in your name, and there is nothing in the tenancy agreement (if you even had one, it's not clear) then you're going to have to pay up.

You can't just say 'well so and so lived here then so they should pay'. The tenants could even argue that you agreed to pay the bills. You have no proof otherwise.

tom9980

No tenancy agreement stating who is responsible for bills

Readings should have been part of check in/out inventory including pictures.

Stop being a useless landlord basically, looks like you have no choice but to pay up now.

buggy_boy

Looks like you learnt an expensive lesson... You are liable because of your own stupidity, sorry but you give landlords a bad name.

Mr.Generous

buggy_boy wrote: »

Looks like you learnt an expensive lesson... You are liable because of your own stupidity, sorry but you give landlords a bad name.

Or a good name, in that landlord is paying the utilities for tenants, sounds like a nice gesture to me. Not something I would ever do. :j

G_M

Time to start acting more professionally if you're going to continue to let out property.


You don't have a leg to stand on.


Your tenancy agreement should clearly specify who is responsible for utilities (council tax, broadband etc).


You should always read meters at start & end of tenancy, get tenant signiture on the readings, and inform the supppliers.


Have you complied with all regulations relating to lettting?


Is this an HMO? If so, have you complied with the additional rules?

buggy_boy

Mr.Generous wrote: »

Or a good name, in that landlord is paying the utilities for tenants, sounds like a nice gesture to me. Not something I would ever do. :j

Yeah but it does beg the question though did he protect the deposits? did he do annual gas safety certificate? As the property was an HMO did he comply to all the regulations that come with an HMO? Has he declared the income to the tax man?

Ignorance is not a defence.