Landlord and internet contract

grad101

Hi all,

Sorry if this is posted in the wrong place - wasn't sure where it best fit.

I'm in a situation where I'm renting a shared house, and the landlord suggested that instead of us getting a new internet contract, we do a change of ownership and simply take over their contract. This meant that we wouldn't have a delay in receiving internet when we moved in.

However, despite myself and the landlord attempting a few times, the company have been terrible and have been unable to sort out a change of ownership. Therefore I am named as a third party on the account but not the account owner. I am unable to view the bills or make any changes to the account without my landlord's permission.

However, I am now a named contact for the bills. I receive emails and text messages when a bill is due (but they are unable to set up a direct debit because I'm not the account owner). When I missed the first bill, I was chased for payment. When I call up to pay a bill I have to provide my landlord's name and security question to pay.

I have now asked the landlord to close this account as I am uncomfortable with being liable for payment without having any control over the account. I am hoping to set up an account with a completely new provider under my name.

My question is - if the landlord doesn't close the account immediately, or if there is a charge for closing the contract, am I legally liable to pay this charge? If I am not legally liable, will it still damage my credit rating if it is not paid given that I am a third party?

Thanks in advance.

Comms69

If it's a shared house why is the landlord not paying for this?

grad101

Sorry to clarify - it's a shared house as in I'm renting it with 3 others. The landlord does not live in the house.

Comms69

grad101 wrote: »

Sorry to clarify - it's a shared house as in I'm renting it with 3 others. The landlord does not live in the house.

Are you all on one contract? Or is it 4 separate contracts, each for a room?

grad101

We are all on the same rental contract. This should not affect the internet situation.

Comms69

grad101 wrote: »

We are all on the same rental contract. This should not affect the internet situation.

No, that's fine then.


Not so much legal advice as it's a matter to be decided between the parties but it seems far simply for the landlord to cancel and you to start a new contract.

grad101

Yes that is the option I'm going for. What I'd like to know is if there is a delay in the landlord cancelling, or if there is a cancellation charge, will I be liable to pay that and if I don't pay it will it affect my credit score?

[Deleted User]

You will probably find the internet contract is for a year/24 months and it will have to be paid for that period of time.

I don't really understand why you had to have proof of ownership/living in the place before you received internet. I lived in a rental house and was never asked for this. Usually you can get internet installed within 10 days. You can order it before moving in and get it installed even sooner. Just make an agreement to pay the LL when you pay your rent, avoid the problems, he can pay it with none.

Comms69

grad101 wrote: »

Yes that is the option I'm going for. What I'd like to know is if there is a delay in the landlord cancelling, or if there is a cancellation charge, will I be liable to pay that and if I don't pay it will it affect my credit score?

I don't see why it would in either case. it's not your account.


Credit scores aren't real just FYI, it's a random number made up by credit reference agencies

grad101

Thanks for the answer re the credit score. I know they are technically "not real" but I still don't want something against my name that could harm me getting credit in future.

The LL is unhappy for himself to pay the internet and us to pay him back every month. I think because it's not written in a contract and therefore insecure. I guess it doesn't matter anyway if I'm not legally liable to pay despite now being a third party.