Is it strange for the managing agency to ask to see my water bills?

user225688 · 19 June 2020 at 11:53AM

I live in an apartment complex where most apartments are managed by that company and I am one of the only ones who has setup my own accounts for water and gas (elec I will have to pay through them).

Today they ask me to see proof of billing history between myself and water company, it seems strange? I mean that info is confidential between me and the utility company. I only imagine they want to see it for clearing things up as to what is what but it seems a liberty just to 'demand' it like it is normal whereas I am not under obligation to give it.

I don't have any particular issue showing them (I shouldn't should I?) it just seemed cheeky they they demand it like it is normal.

I think they just want to prove that I have setup my own accounts and am paying them myself rather than just using off their supply for free (since all utilities were in place when I moved in and had to ring the companies to set them up). Only 7 months later they are getting round to asking me about this stuff...

Talldave · 19 June 2020 at 12:43PM

I'd check the lease & any other paperwork you were given when you moved in. If it says you must provide proof of your own utility agreements, then give them as little information as the agreement requires. Otherwise, I'd tell them politely "no".

user225688 · 19 June 2020 at 1:38PM

There are no stipulations about that but the reason they are asking is because my tenancy is different from all their other tenants bar one or two.

For clarification, tenancy agreement was a stock one written up by letting agents, and the managing agents (who we are talking about in this instance) are a completely different entity.

Managing agents manage the building complex, letting agents now have nothing to do with the running of things, the latter were just hired to advertise and write up documents, the managing agents, who own and manage the properties are who we are discussing now.

As I have thought about it, I can't see a problem with it? They supply all utilities to other tenants as an 'all-in-one' package (all bills paid for a huge markup which I stoutly rejected). So they are probably paying one bill for the whole complex for each utility and I am just the exception, so they just want to see my bills to check it is all setup and I am not just running from theirs for free.

Having said that I do take issue to a small extent that they don't even bother to explain why they want it and just ask me to give it to them.

Talldave · 19 June 2020 at 1:48PM

Personally I wouldn't give them anything but I'm just stubborn I guess. If you do give them anything, redact your account number(s). They might decide to start meddling for no better reason than they don't like the lack of profit they can make out of you.

At least hold out until they explain (a) why they want the information (b) exactly what information they want and (c) why the world is going to end if you don't.