Do I pay a bill when my names not on the account?

PleaseHelpMeASAP

Okay so here’s the major issue of which I can’t seem to get a straight factual answer.

The situation is, I was joint flat sharing with a friend (joint tenancy) we both left the flat at the same time (end of tenancy). A bill arrived from the energy company that was set up there 6 months later as a “final bill”. The friend contacted me about this that I needed to pay half the bill (as that’s what we always did) I contacted the energy company and they wouldn’t allow me to pay or do anything as I wasn’t on the account what so ever. I told the friend of the matter of which he has threatened me with going through the small claims court. I don’t get what I can do in the example? The company say I’m not liable and not responsible. 

What are my rights etc?.. also am I liable to pay half of the bill? They are saying I’m not but online “citizens advice” says I would be liable because it was a joint tenancy on the flat. I can’t seem to get a clear answer 

thanks for time in reading, I look forward to responses.

regards,

Ryan 

Hasbeen

PleaseHelpMeASAP said:

Okay so here’s the major issue of which I can’t seem to get a straight factual answer.

The situation is, I was joint flat sharing with a friend (joint tenancy) we both left the flat at the same time (end of tenancy). A bill arrived from the energy company that was set up there 6 months later as a “final bill”. The friend contacted me about this that I needed to pay half the bill (as that’s what we always did) I contacted the energy company and they wouldn’t allow me to pay or do anything as I wasn’t on the account what so ever. I told the friend of the matter of which he has threatened me with going through the small claims court. I don’t get what I can do in the example? The company say I’m not liable and not responsible. 

What are my rights etc?.. also am I liable to pay half of the bill? They are saying I’m not but online “citizens advice” says I would be liable because it was a joint tenancy on the flat. I can’t seem to get a clear answer 

thanks for time in reading, I look forward to responses.

regards,

Ryan 

There is no major issue.

You had an agreement  with your flat mate to pay half the Bill's.

So simply send them what you are obliged to?

Major issue solved.

leonj

You owe your flat mate half the money from the bill, you pay him, he can pay the energy company, case closed!

tacpot12

You can normally pay a bill if you know the Bank Sort Code, Account Number and Reference to quote on the payment. If your friend will give you this information, you can pay the bill. This information is often printed on the bill, so try to get a copy of the bill from them. They might be able to take a photo of the bill and email this to you.  

HampshireH

But make sure it's all confirmed in writing what you owe and what you have paid. With the bank transfer stating also.

You don't want to find that your previously trustworthy friend may have changed and banked your cash, not paid the bill and tries the small claims route for it.

Many banking apps give you a receipt option save that also.

niktheguru

Make sure you have seen the final bill itself. Then give your mate half. It’s very simple. If you had a joint tenancy you’re liable to half, and that’s only the right thing to do.

Anunnaki

You had a joint tenancy. Equal responsibility for bills regardless of whose name is on the account.

Stop trying to wheedle out of your responsibilities and pay what you now owe!

If you want, pay it in a way you get proof? But at the moment, I would trust your ex flat mate more.

northwalesd

How were the energy bills paid when you both lived in the flat? Did you both call the energy company and pay half? I suspect either you gave your friend your half, or the other way round, and one of you paid the bill. That is exactly what you should do now. As others have said, you may want sight of the bill to make sure you are only paying half of what you owe, depending how much you trust the friend.

PleaseHelpMeASAP

Anunnaki said:

You had a joint tenancy. Equal responsibility for bills regardless of whose name is on the account.

Stop trying to wheedle out of your responsibilities and pay what you now owe!

If you want, pay it in a way you get proof? But at the moment, I would trust your ex flat mate more.

A lot of you are not fully understanding the situation. This friend turned in being untrustworthy. I’m not trying to avoid it as I’ve been in multiple contact with the company.. THEY TOLD ME I CANT PAY IT over the phone as/and I’m not on the account. So I didn’t have an option to be able to pay it.

now do you understand? 

northwalesd

PleaseHelpMeASAP said:

Anunnaki said:

You had a joint tenancy. Equal responsibility for bills regardless of whose name is on the account.

Stop trying to wheedle out of your responsibilities and pay what you now owe!

If you want, pay it in a way you get proof? But at the moment, I would trust your ex flat mate more.

A lot of you are not fully understanding the situation. This friend turned in being untrustworthy. I’m not trying to avoid it as I’ve been in multiple contact with the company.. THEY TOLD ME I CANT PAY IT over the phone as/and I’m not on the account. So I didn’t have an option to be able to pay it.

now do you understand? 

Funnily enough, the 'friend' turning out to be untrustworthy isn't in your original post. So just make arrangements to give this 'friend' the half you owe so that they can pay the full bill.

PleaseHelpMeASAP

leonj said:

You owe your flat mate half the money from the bill, you pay him, he can pay the energy company, case closed!

That that simple... he is untrustworthy. On 2 occasions when we were friends he mispaid me back an amount on a holiday we got refunded (cancelled due to covid) and another time where I bought a separate item (£100) he mispaid until I challenged him it was wrong amount then he coughed up. 

So with that being said no money of mine was ever going straight to him, as he could just pocket it himself. So your advice is not helpful atall. 

Thankfully over people have replied a sensible response and that’s what I’ve followed.