Landlord asking for proof of paid utilities before release of deposit

Trixsie1989

FBaby wrote: »

Many do that anyway. Do you think it is right that utilities companies go after the landlords when the tenants have fsiled to give the correct last day of using such utilities even when they show the contract.

If utility companies didn't do that it wouldn't be an issue but sadly they do and landlords rightly don't want to be left with unpaid utilities.

Personally I fail to understand why it is such an issue when tenants had to show a lot more personal information to get the place in the first place.

The issue is that we vacated the property already with no issues, we currently do not have the required proofs that the landlord wants and not sure when we will receive these and legally the deposit cannot be held for this reason. There is nothing that is stated within the tenancy agreement and it was only mentioned after we had put the request in through the DPS.
Why should we have to wait weeks or possibly months for our money when there were no issues raised at any point during our tenancy and we have always maintained accurate up-to-date date payments for utilities and rent payments.

FBaby

Already explained why they do it. Not fair or right but as said if the utility companies are going to play !!!!!!s that's what happened. Surely you should be able to ask for evidence of the date you've paid up to

FBaby

How long has it been because you say recently. Why are you relying on the deposit to pay bills you would have to pay regardless? If the deposit to be returned is disputed and it goes to adr, it can take months to get it back if any so you should rely on it to pay regular bills any way.

Trixsie1989

FBaby wrote: »

How long has it been because you say recently. Why are you relying on the deposit to pay bills you would have to pay regardless? If the deposit to be returned is disputed and it goes to adr, it can take months to get it back if any so you should rely on it to pay regular bills any way.

We moved out of property and handed keys back last Friday. The issue is not paying the bills it's paying 2 lots of bills alongside each other, the deposit money would be handy to ensure we still have money in savings rather than potentially clearing us out right now.

To answer your other post.. I have requested proofs of amounts paid/account closures etc but they have not arrived yet and each company has advised that they can take up to 6 weeks to be issued. Obviously if it goes to dispute then I know it will take that long, possibly even longer depending, but to us it is a ridiculous reason to not get our money back now we have left the property with no issues!

FBaby

Last Friday? Your expectations are much too high. Even when all going well and nothing being challenged, two weeks is more realistic. If with an agency, they have to do and write a report and check out inventory. They then have to send to LL and await for LL's go ahead. LL might have questions the agent have to respond too. Then it takes a few more days for the deposit scheme to process and release the deposit.

You really should have accounted for having to pay two lots of bills without relying on the deposit to pay.

Kynthia

FBaby wrote: »

Many do that anyway. Do you think it is right that utilities companies go after the landlords when the tenants have fsiled to give the correct last day of using such utilities even when they show the contract.

If utility companies didn't do that it wouldn't be an issue but sadly they do and landlords rightly don't want to be left with unpaid utilities.

Personally I fail to understand why it is such an issue when tenants had to show a lot more personal information to get the place in the first place.

As a landlord you are running a business and have to act professional. You don't get to do things wrong and withhold your ex-tenants money just because the utility companies occassionally behave poorly. Landlords should complain to Ofgem if it's an industry-wide problem to try and solve it.

KittenChops

FBaby wrote: »

Such a stupid game to play. The reason why LL do that is because if tenants lie and claim to have left the property earlier than they have, the utility company will go with that datecand won't care what the contract states. Not their problem. So LL is left with the bill and only option to take tenant to court which is often not worth for the amount due.

Sadly its because too many tenants have taken advantage of this and not paid their bill that such clause have started to appear in contracts. No legal standing but what LL can do is delay returning the deposit to see if something comes their way because if it does and the tenant should have been responsible they can then claim it through the deposit scheme and delaying the process is something LLs can legally get away with.

Just to give another side to this...


About 15 odd years ago, I and my fellow housemates vacated a rented property. We each had a household bill in our own name - mine was the water bill. Despite settling up in full when we left, about 4 years later I was contacted by a debt recovery agent for unpaid water bills for several months after we had left the property, when it was vacant and up for sale. Luckily I still had my final water bill and notes on who I'd spoken to and when. Apparently the landlord had lied and told the water company that we were still renting it for that period. So perhaps utility companies just accept the first thing they're told, regardless of who speaks to them...

[/slight tangent]

FBaby

As a business I don't have to act professionally only legally. Waiting a bit longer to see if any bills come through the door is not illegal. Landlords are no more responsible than tenants for dealing with scrupulous utility companies. They are also not responsible for tenants who can't pay their bills.