Tenant has not transferred their name onto gas and electricity

macman

Jeezz said:

Keep_pedalling said:

Despite not contacting EFT your tenants have had a deemed contract with them from the moment they moved in, the problem is EDF’s not yours. 

Ok, if that is the case I will stop stressing. Will they eventually cut supply, or is this deemed an essential service? 

What evidence do you have that they do not intend to pay the bills? If they don't register for an account, EDF will simply bill them as 'The Occupier.' If they don't pay, then eventually they might get a warrant and switch them to PPM's, or remotely if there is already a smart meter, but this would be a long way down the road. Disconnection is not an option if debt is built up, only when meter fraud is committed.
In the meantime, as long as you took closing reads and close your account, it is simply not your concern.
PS: how do you actually know if they have registered or not?

Jeezz

macman said:

Jeezz said:

Keep_pedalling said:

Despite not contacting EFT your tenants have had a deemed contract with them from the moment they moved in, the problem is EDF’s not yours. 

Ok, if that is the case I will stop stressing. Will they eventually cut supply, or is this deemed an essential service? 

What evidence do you have that they do not intend to pay the bills? If they don't register for an account, EDF will simply bill them as 'The Occupier.' If they don't pay, then eventually they might get a warrant and switch them to PPM's, or remotely if there is already a smart meter, but this would be a long way down the road. Disconnection is not an option if debt is built up, only when meter fraud is committed.
In the meantime, as long as you took closing reads and close your account, it is simply not your concern.
PS: how do you actually know if they have registered or not?

Yes, I have been issued my final bills and given final readings. I know that they have not registered, because as part of their tenancy agreement they need to notify the management agent, once they do so, and when the agent has followed up they have said they are looking into it (3 weeks in).

And yet, I had a call from the broadband provider 2 days into their tenancy agreement asking if I would give permission for them to run new cabling on the property.

Thanks, for your comments. You and a few others have reassured me that it is now the tenants responsibility and I have no further liability, despite owning the property. 

macman

Yes, it's the occupier that is liable, whether registered or not. Not the owner.

ayupmeduck

welly_59 said:

I've been a tenant for 20 years, and every time the landlord has done all this. I've never had to contact the utility company

I've contacted the utilities in every property, unless it included bills.

Exodi

welly_59 said:

I've been a tenant for 20 years, and every time the landlord has done all this. I've never had to contact the utility company

I was a tenant of 4 properties over 8 years, and I'd never heard of a landlord doing this!

Tenants have always been responsible for establishing utility accounts... they are in their names. It doesn't resonate to me that someone can call up and set up an account in somebody elses name... but it sounds like somehow it's been done.

I would suggest that you are very likely to be the exception...

How many properties in 20 years? What types of properties (if you don't mind me asking). Reason for asking, is they may act differently if the tenant was more vulnerable (for example).

razord said:

welly_59 said:

I've been a tenant for 20 years, and every time the landlord has done all this. I've never had to contact the utility company

I'm the exact opposite - I have always had to do this myself as a tenant; it's never been done for me.

ayupmeduck said:

welly_59 said:

I've been a tenant for 20 years, and every time the landlord has done all this. I've never had to contact the utility company

I've contacted the utilities in every property, unless it included bills.

Indeed. Honestly that's one of the first times I've ever seen someone suggest the opposite is true. I can't even begin to imagine how someone calls a utility provider, and tries to set up in an account in somebody elses name, without their consent...

elsien

Yes, I wouldn’t want to be relying on the landlord or anyone else to do it because I want to doublecheck that the company will be given the correct figures and the correct dates.
Not leaving me with someone else’s arrears.

Exodi

To add to the general thread.

OP, this is not your problem. Make sure you keep records of the closing meter readings - and also a copy of the tenancy certificate clearing showing the move in date.

It is not your responsibility to be micro-managing them like you are (some tenants would even find it offensive) and I think your suggestions about prepayment meters would be massively overstepping the mark.

fewcloudy

theartfullodger said:

Jeezz said:

theartfullodger said:

Jeezz said:

I have just started renting out a property. Tenant moved in 30 November and as yet have not contacted the utility company to add their names.

Edf will not allow me to do so as landlord. I have already advised them of final meter reading under my own name and asked for a final bill.

.......

Perhaps not but they can't prevent you writing/emailing them (on every change of occupant, and for voids..) noting meter readings and names.  EVERY TIME.  For ALL utilities and council tax!  Keep copies, and file photos of meter reaedings.

Jeezz: Done any training in how to be a landlord and also in landlord/tenant law, please?  If none, suggest you do so.  If you think education is expensive, try ignorance...

The whole point of a forum is to ask questions. If I was as educated as you I wouldn't be on this forum would I?

So you are stating I should NOT be on this forum??  Many thanks for your kind thoughts.  Do we take it then that you've become a landlord but not bothered with education please??

Sincere apologies for my raising the matter: But I learnt a lesson in the early 2000's (I've been a landlord since 2000).  Thought I knew what I was doing.  Oh my stupidity, oh the hubris.  Ended up making a mess of the tenancy paperwork. Complicated, expensive, long-drawn out, legally tricky, painful mistakes.  Took a lot of effort, time & money to sort out. As I said, my stupidity, my daft hubris: Nobody else to blame but me.

In the hope that tenants and landlords have a less painful and expensive life, I 'umbly suggest a bit of education for landlords.  Cheaper than ignorance!  Just a thought.

Best wishes to all, including those who disagree with me!  Merry Xmas all!

That's quite a passive aggressive interpretation of their post!   I am sure they meant "they wouldn't be on this forum as they would have no need to ask questions if they were as educated as you".  But you are on this forum giving others the benefit of your experience; you are answering questions rather than asking them.  And for that we thank you!

london21

If you have attempted to inform the utility company and they have not listened, as far as you do not have an open account with them and you have proof of tenancy I would not worry about it.

They usually drop owner/occupier letters, it is the tenant's responsibility to open their own account.

Any bills or notices the tenant will be responsible from the beginning of the tenancy.

pinkteapot

razord said:

welly_59 said:

I've been a tenant for 20 years, and every time the landlord has done all this. I've never had to contact the utility company

I'm the exact opposite - I have always had to do this myself as a tenant; it's never been done for me.

Ditto - have rented a few times and always sorted out utilities accounts myself - no different to moving into houses I've owned. As others have said, OP doesn't need to worry as they won't have to pick up the bills or anything. Issue is EDF's and the tenant's and that's it.