Can someone else pay my bills?

09ab

I am a student and will be paying for my rent. I also have to pay for water rates, electricity and Internet. My mum wants to pay my utility bills from her bank and have them in her name. However, she doesn't live with me. Will it be an issue that it will have my address for the bills but in her name despite her not living here? I don't understand it and I am very confused. Please help! 

bradders1983

Why doesn't she just transfer you the money to your bank?

if not, nothing to stop you getting quarterly paper bills for the utilities and telling your mum how much they are, they can be paid via phone or internet banking by anyone. The internet bill might be trickier as it usually requires a direct debit to be set up.

Petriix

I strongly recommend getting used to the way the bills work yourself and taking full responsibility for your energy consumption. That way you can notice the tangible difference between putting on an extra jumper and cranking the heating up.

You will also get used to taking regular meter readings and learn how to save money by switching supplier etc.. If your mum is paying then you will have no incentive to check the bills for accuracy and might get into bad habits. 

09ab

Thanks for the responses! My mum needs to improve her credit rating so this way she has some footprint. I also come from a very poor family so I will be on a meter and watching my energy consumption. I'm also going into my 3rd year of university and I have been paying my bills for the last 2 years. I just need to know if her name is okay on the bills even though she won't be residing with me, I don't want it to look like I am subletting! Thank you

bradders1983

Right, this is odd. Surely she already pays utility bills at her current address and has that on her credit file? Also not all utility companies report to the credit reference agencies anyway. Also her name being at your address wont link to her address at all.

You are opening up a minefield here, especially if for some reason you dont pay the bill for whatever reason. And without being rude: you are an adult, presumably at least 20. Your mums credit file isnt your concern and vice versa. 

Cardew

The electricity company will not know(or care) who lives in the apartment as long as the bills are paid.

When my daughter was at university I paid the gas and electric bills for her flat. The bills were in my name, her address, and went to her address. These days with paperless bills it is even easier.