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Problem with rented room (AST) and bills for WHOLE property
joolsybools
Posts: 1,595 Forumite
Hi,
I’m looking for some advice please re my housing situation.
I have an AST which I have just done 6 months on so its renewing on a monthly basis now. When I signed there was no witness, i.e. so only myself and the landlord signed. I’m not sure if this might be relevant later. The landlord did say to me at the time that the contract is not worth the paper its written on and I’m inclined to agree. I paid no deposit.
So the situation is I rent a room in a 3 bed house. The day I signed which was also the day I moved in (moving from a different part of the country – no judgement please), I found out that one of the girls had the internet & water in her name, rather than this all being in the name of the landlord which is what I have always had when renting a room before on an AST. When this girl moved out just after Xmas, another girl agreed to ‘take over’ the contracts. This meant sending the old wifi box thing back and getting a new one, so I can only assume this was a brand new contract rather than ‘taking over’. She has since advised me that there is a cancellation fee of £120 if the contract is cancelled before the 12 months is up. I’m not sure what the status is re water, but that is probably less of an issue, I think.
So now this girl is also wanting to move out (only 2 months after putting all bills in her name) and started saying about putting the wifi and the water in my name – now there is no way on earth that I have any wish to a) take over these contracts, b) get new contracts (due to the likelihood of them having to be for 12 months and not wishing to stay in the property for that much longer) or c) have any financial association with anyone else who lives in the property – either now or in the future. She has mentioned before that she has a CCJ although I don’t know if that’s true. She is aiming to move out sometime in April, probably early April and is going home to her parents, so her move is likely to go ahead easily.
So the issues are: as above, I do not wish to and will not put any bills in my name for the entire property. I’m concerned that she will go ahead and try to put my name on the broadband and water bills anyway. I made it very clear when she first suggested this that it was an absolute no-no. I have said I would speak to the landlord, but am reluctant to do this before I’ve had a bit more advice. Would it be fraud if she (or anyone else puts bills) in my name without my consent?
The contract states “Tenant obligations - …immediately on signing of this Agreement to arrange for electricity, gas and telephone services (as available to the property) to be transferred into the Tenant’s name and to pay all amounts rendered in respect of the property where appropriate a proper proportion to be assessed by the Landlord’s Agent;” …
Now the gas and electric are on meters so that part is effectively null and void. We don’t have a telephone although that may be part of the package that the girl got for the internet. Please note water is not mentioned on the agreement at all. I am a (mature) student so I have no council tax liability.
I’m also concerned that the landlord will say “you have to”. Now I know I don’t and don’t think they can force me but again I’m afraid they will just try to directly with the companies concerned.
The only things I can think of are: 1) ask the third (new) tenant if she will put the bills in her name, 2) ask the landlords to do so or 3) Move out – which I would like to do eventually but I was thinking or doing it over the summer when I don’t have assignments/exams. It will cause me major stress and inconvenience to even think about looking for somewhere else until the middle of May.
This is causing major stress and bad feeling in the house.
Please can anyone offer any help/insight/other options I’ve not thought of?
I’ve also thought of speaking to CAB or the uni (the property is not linked to them) but I know it probably wont be that quick to get an appointment.
Many thanks in advance.
I’m looking for some advice please re my housing situation.
I have an AST which I have just done 6 months on so its renewing on a monthly basis now. When I signed there was no witness, i.e. so only myself and the landlord signed. I’m not sure if this might be relevant later. The landlord did say to me at the time that the contract is not worth the paper its written on and I’m inclined to agree. I paid no deposit.
So the situation is I rent a room in a 3 bed house. The day I signed which was also the day I moved in (moving from a different part of the country – no judgement please), I found out that one of the girls had the internet & water in her name, rather than this all being in the name of the landlord which is what I have always had when renting a room before on an AST. When this girl moved out just after Xmas, another girl agreed to ‘take over’ the contracts. This meant sending the old wifi box thing back and getting a new one, so I can only assume this was a brand new contract rather than ‘taking over’. She has since advised me that there is a cancellation fee of £120 if the contract is cancelled before the 12 months is up. I’m not sure what the status is re water, but that is probably less of an issue, I think.
So now this girl is also wanting to move out (only 2 months after putting all bills in her name) and started saying about putting the wifi and the water in my name – now there is no way on earth that I have any wish to a) take over these contracts, b) get new contracts (due to the likelihood of them having to be for 12 months and not wishing to stay in the property for that much longer) or c) have any financial association with anyone else who lives in the property – either now or in the future. She has mentioned before that she has a CCJ although I don’t know if that’s true. She is aiming to move out sometime in April, probably early April and is going home to her parents, so her move is likely to go ahead easily.
So the issues are: as above, I do not wish to and will not put any bills in my name for the entire property. I’m concerned that she will go ahead and try to put my name on the broadband and water bills anyway. I made it very clear when she first suggested this that it was an absolute no-no. I have said I would speak to the landlord, but am reluctant to do this before I’ve had a bit more advice. Would it be fraud if she (or anyone else puts bills) in my name without my consent?
The contract states “Tenant obligations - …immediately on signing of this Agreement to arrange for electricity, gas and telephone services (as available to the property) to be transferred into the Tenant’s name and to pay all amounts rendered in respect of the property where appropriate a proper proportion to be assessed by the Landlord’s Agent;” …
Now the gas and electric are on meters so that part is effectively null and void. We don’t have a telephone although that may be part of the package that the girl got for the internet. Please note water is not mentioned on the agreement at all. I am a (mature) student so I have no council tax liability.
I’m also concerned that the landlord will say “you have to”. Now I know I don’t and don’t think they can force me but again I’m afraid they will just try to directly with the companies concerned.
The only things I can think of are: 1) ask the third (new) tenant if she will put the bills in her name, 2) ask the landlords to do so or 3) Move out – which I would like to do eventually but I was thinking or doing it over the summer when I don’t have assignments/exams. It will cause me major stress and inconvenience to even think about looking for somewhere else until the middle of May.
This is causing major stress and bad feeling in the house.
Please can anyone offer any help/insight/other options I’ve not thought of?
I’ve also thought of speaking to CAB or the uni (the property is not linked to them) but I know it probably wont be that quick to get an appointment.
Many thanks in advance.
0
Comments
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Normally with shared bills all names are on the bill. If someone leaves the supplier can be informed and a name changed without cancelling the contract.0
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Unlicensed HMO; I think LL would be wise to pay the bills. I certainly wouldn’t be paying anything0
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Normally with shared bills all names are on the bill. If someone leaves the supplier can be informed and a name changed without cancelling the contract.
But if all names are on the bill this means a financial association which I am not prepared to do - I don't know or even like these people!0 -
Check with the local authority(counci):joolsybools wrote: »What makes you say it's unlicensed? How would I check this out for sure? What are the implications if it is unlicensed?
Thanks.
1) does it fall within the category of an HMO (probably yes)
2) does it fall within the category of a licenceable HMO (depends on LA)
3) is it licenced?
If 1=yes, then LL is responsible for council tax.
If 2=yes and 3=no, landlord is in trouble!
https://www.gov.uk/house-in-multiple-occupation-licence
https://www.gov.uk/private-renting/houses-in-multiple-occupation
Very risky for a single tenat in an HMO to take on all the utility bills. If the other tenants don't contribute, you end up liable.
Much better for the landlord to hold the account and either include it in the rent (with a 'fair useage' clause?) or re-charge the tenants equally as bills come in.0 -
You can certainly refuse to take on the wifi bill - after all you do not need to have wifi. But if nobody else wants to take it on you may end up with no service. Up to you.
Somebody is going to have to pay the water bill but you are not locked in for a minimum period so that is one concern you need not have if you decided to take it on.0 -
Check with the local authority(counci):
1) does it fall within the category of an HMO (probably yes)
2) does it fall within the category of a licenceable HMO (depends on LA)
3) is it licenced?
If 1=yes, then LL is responsible for council tax.
If 2=yes and 3=no, landlord is in trouble!
https://www.gov.uk/house-in-multiple-occupation-licence
https://www.gov.uk/private-renting/houses-in-multiple-occupation
Very risky for a single tenat in an HMO to take on all the utility bills. If the other tenants don't contribute, you end up liable.
Much better for the landlord to hold the account and either include it in the rent (with a 'fair useage' clause?) or re-charge the tenants equally as bills come in.
Thanks those links are really useful. So yes they need to be licensed. One of the landlords mentioned they had been stung for several hundred pounds not so long ago - they didn't mention why/what for and I didn't ask. I wonder if it was this.0 -
gingercordial wrote: »Somebody is going to have to pay the water bill but you are not locked in for a minimum period so that is one concern you need not have if you decided to take it on.
But if the other tenants don’t pay their fair share for whatever reason (even legitimate bankruptcy) then the OP is left with the bill in their name?
Why would anyone agree to this with people they didn’t know very well?0 -
But if the other tenants don’t pay their fair share for whatever reason (even legitimate bankruptcy) then the OP is left with the bill in their name?
Why would anyone agree to this with people they didn’t know very well?
Exactly. I feel like I am stuck between a rock and a hard place.0 -
Sugest to the LL that he take over the bills.
Drop into the conversation the magic letters 'HMO'.......0
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