Tenant unpaid utilities and standing charges

Abz100

Hi
I used to rent out a house. The tenant left Dec 2016 and letters were still being received from their energy supplier We returned all letters, as we had no forwarding address (the letting agent never supplied one). These eventually turned into debt collection letters and as some of these wre addressed to the owner/occupier I could open them and respond to inform them the tenant had left with no forwarding address
The property has remained empty ever since and I am now moving back in. On trying to set up a new supplier I have been informed that their supplier are blocking my switch of supplier. I rang them today and they have updated the records but state that I should be liable for standing charges since the tenant left. Is that right as I never took any agreement/account with them myself?
In hindsight perhaps I should have contacted them directly at the time but would have thought this was the tenant (account holder) obligation, not mine.

Thrugelmir

Abz100 wrote: »

In hindsight perhaps I should have contacted them directly at the time but would have thought this was the tenant (account holder) obligation, not mine.

You are the owner of the property though and knew that the tenant had done a runner. Became your responsibility by default.

diggingdude

When did your tenants tenancy end legally? You deffo owe after that

G_M

Abz100 wrote: »

Hi
I used to rent out a house. The tenant left Dec 2016.

Please clarify.


* tenant left or tenancy ended?
* was tenancy fixed term? Dates? Or periodic?
* when 'tenant left', what did you do? Re-occupy? Apply to court for possession? Sue tenant for arrears?

markin

How do you close an account if its not in your name? Why was the account service not cut off when it was not paid?

Hasbeen

Abz100 wrote: »

Hi
I I rang them today and they have updated the records but state that I should be liable for standing charges since the tenant left. Is that right as I never took any agreement/account with them myself?
In hindsight perhaps I should have contacted them directly at the time but would have thought this was the tenant (account holder) obligation, not mine.

When the tenant moved out as owner you regained gas / electric supply and entered a deemed contract with the supplier.

When tenants move out the landlord immediately contacts the supplier with readings and puts name onto account.

When new tenant if any move in, Landlord again contacts supplier with readings pays bill etc.

You are responsible for any charges from the date your tenant moved out. This includes water/drainage, council tax etc.

How long have you been a Landlord?:(

Finchy2018

Hasbeen wrote: »

When the tenant moved out as owner you regained gas / electric supply and entered a deemed contract with the supplier.

When tenants move out the landlord immediately contacts the supplier with readings and puts name onto account.

When new tenant if any move in, Landlord again contacts supplier with readings pays bill etc.

You are responsible for any charges from the date your tenant moved out. This includes water/drainage, council tax etc.

How long have you been a Landlord?:(

Are they not responsible for any charges from the date the tenancy ended? I moved out my rental property 2 months ago but the contract ends today, therefore I pay everything up to and including today, then it is no longer my responsibility.

Hasbeen

Finchy2018 wrote: »

Are they not responsible for any charges from the date the tenancy ended? I moved out my rental property 2 months ago but the contract ends today, therefore I pay everything up to and including today, then it is no longer my responsibility.

You are correct.

But it depends on how good the tenant was and how good the landlord is.

If you moved out 2 months ago and the Landord rented it out the next day the new tenants and they started to pay the utilities, then what are you paying and who to? only the rent to end of contract?

Finchy2018

Hasbeen wrote: »

You are correct.

But it depends on how good the tenant was and how good the landlord is.

If you moved out 2 months ago and the Landord rented it out the next day the new tenants and they started to pay the utilities, then what are you paying and who to? only the rent to end of contract?

I moved out 2 months ago, but they only got the keys back this morning which is when check out it taking place

csgohan4

OP as a LL you should have known the process about utilities, have you checked the council tax situation as well???

Hasbeen

Finchy2018 wrote: »

I moved out 2 months ago, but they only got the keys back this morning which is when check out it taking place

Then as per your contract you are responsible. If you had come to an arrangement with the Landlord they might have taken the keys back earlier and rented back out, charging you only until then. Good landlord! if good tenant?