Renting - Utility advice

Firstimer123

Hi all, 

looking for some advice, have been renting in a joint tenancy agreement with my a family member since Sept and have given notice to leave at end of fixed term next month. Relationship broke down and my family member moved out in July however continued paying rent until end of fixed term, with myself covering rest of bills for this time (july-sept).

We hadn't had a utility (gas, electric or water bill) bill since moving in and spoken to utility provider directly who have said we need to pay from June 1st onward which is fine. However we have now received an invoic  for part period utilities from September until June from the landlord threatening legal action if they have no response for the amount by end of this week.  My family member has replied to them to basically state that they are trying to sort with utility company directly and will not pay anything until this is done, however I would like to contact landlord directly and pay half of the invoiced amount as long as they will not chase and hold me liable for the rest.

Communication has broken down between myself and family member and I do not want this long and dragged out, I would rather pay what LL has stated is owed for my half and move on. What are chances of LL accepting this and stating in writing to allow me to move on and not have this hanging over my head as I look for a new property?



 

blue_max_3

You generally are all liable for the bills and rent. It would be best if you paid it all and recovered the amount from your family member. If you can't recover it, you should put it down to experience. 

Firstimer123

Unfortunately I can’t afford to pay it all I can only afford my half 

MaryNB

I'm a bit confused.
Did you or your family member set up accounts with the utility companies when you moved in? Have you been paying anything directly since you moved in? 

Am I right in assuming the LL is kicking off because the bills stayed in their name but they weren't paying because the bills, unbeknownst to them, were going to the rental address? Did the LL assume you had set up accounts as per the tenancy agreement?

If it's a joint tenancy you're both liable for the full amount, not half each.
(Edit: ... if the bills are included in the rent and landlord is paying. If not, the tenant named on the bills is liable. If you were supposed to pay bills directly but didn't, you're both responsible for not sorting it).

Is the council tax also an issue or have you been paying that? Or are you both students are therefore not liable.

MaryNB

I've had another read. Am more confused. I think I'm missing something here.
Who was paying bills before your relative moved out? Who were they being paid to?
Who were you paying bills to July to Sept?

If you had a accounts with all the utility companies the landlord wouldnt care because only you or you relative would be liable (whoever is named on the accounts). The woman I replaced in my houseshare wasn't paying any of the utilities (she pocketed the money from the other tenants) but after she left the debt stayed with her because she was named on the bills. Not the LL or other tenants. 

greatcrested

Can you confirm:

1) exact date your joint tenancy started?

2) exact date you/joint tenant set up utilities in your names and provided meter readings?

3) who was named as account holder between 1) & 2) if not the same? The landlord? Previous tenant?  ....?

4) why did utility company say "need to pay from June 1st onward"? Seems strange. Who do they expect to pay for period up to June?

The bottom line is that from date of 1) above you and joint tenant were responsible for all utilities (and council tax - is this paid up to date?)/ Arguably as your joint tenant moved out in July, he could expect you to pay from then on.

Without understanding fully the above factors it is hard to advise, but if, and only if, the landlord has paid your utility bills eg up to June, then you (jointly or singly) should reimburse him in full. But you should not rush to do this - you should check that he has, in fact, paid your bills for you.