Accountholder left, stuck paying the bills help please!

LittleLark

Hi
I have a strange problem - I moved into a house share and took on the responsibility of paying the broadband bill (talktalk) by direct debit

But we didnt change the name on the account - its in his name (Joe)

Now Joe has moved out (on bad terms)
I am still paying the bill but I want to cancel the contract.
TalkTalk wont do it and I dont have all Joe's details to act as him in communication with TalkTalk
The only thing I can think of is to cancel the direct debit and hope they chase after him and not me.
Will this work? will it affect my credit rating to cancel the direct debit?
Thanks with a touch of desperation
Oliver

Alter_ego

I guess they would chase his name at your address.

Speedbird676

If the account is in his name only, cancelling the direct debit will only affect his credit rating.

It is likely though that TalkTalk will continue providing service for some time before ceasing the service due to non-payment.

Are you moving out or looking to take out a new broadband service in your own name?

LittleLark

Hmmm, OK I guess that would still be a problem for me? I mean I expect that reposession orders might affect things at my address?
Do you have any handle on the legality of the situation.
Any advice on how to resolve this situation would be greatfully recieved

LittleLark

I'm hoping to cancel the broadband and take out a mobile broadband service instead.
Do you think it would work to switch providers? and then cancel the new service?

Speedbird676

LittleLark wrote: »

I'm hoping to cancel the broadband and take out a mobile broadband service instead.
Do you think it would work to switch providers? and then cancel the new service?

I wouldn't switch providers as it would tie you into a new contract, unless you switched to something with only a 1-month term.

Ideally you should contact him and ask him to contact Talk Talk to cancel.

Or cancel the direct debit. Legally he is responsible, not you. Talk Talk would chase him before passing the case to debt collection. If you have changed tenancy agreements, council tax, etc. and can prove when he moved out there shouldn't be any comeback.

LittleLark

Ah, Thanks for your help
That may be a problem, as he is still listed on the council tax and tenancy agreement - I live in a converted warehouse with a slightly odd legal position. We have a tenancy agreement but I dont want to change it as our landlords are ... very likely to cause trouble if I request that.

I can no longer get in touch with Joe either - he left owing us money!
I really feel trapped by this!
O

LittleLark

perhaps I could switch and cancel during the cooling off period...? does anyone think that could work?

DCFC79

LittleLark wrote: »

I'm hoping to cancel the broadband and take out a mobile broadband service instead.
Do you think it would work to switch providers? and then cancel the new service?

Switch which providers ?

I feel Ive misunderstood something along the way.

As advised cancel the DD, take out a mobile broadband of your choice, you can do them vice versa if you like.

When you get the form from the council ssking who lives at the property take his name off it.

LittleLark

OK so in order to avoid any possibility of legal fallout from this for anyone (I dont want to add to Joe's woes with legal action- he's not bad just a mess) I have done the following:
Taken out a new contract with vodaphone broadband

They will cancel the old contract with talktalk for me - they assured me they can do this even though its in Joe's name
Then I will cancel the vodaphone contract within the 14day cooling of period and return their router and voi-la everything will be sorted and above board.
Thanks everyone for their help.
Oliver

AndyPK

humm, I think cancelling within 14 days, will result in Talktalk still providing a service! Back to square one.

Providing you aren't being charged loads, I would be tempted to leave it.