Who's Name Has To Be On Utility Bills? Occupying House With Parent

MrMeeples

I live with my father and I'm in the process of buying it from him due to his inability to repay his mortgage.  It's either that or we get stuck renting for the rest of our lives. All the utility bills are currently in his name, and he's the majority user of them (he's a bit of a waster). I'd like to know what bills have to be in my name once I own the house.  Or can he just keep them in his name?

I'm aware that other aspects such as house insurance and council tax have to be in the legal owners name, but I'm not really sure about the power and water.

Alderbank

The utilities don't care as long as they get the money, and as you have probably found out they don't care who actually pays the bill either, it doesn't have to be the property owner.
For example, in rented properties it is quite usual for the tenant rather than the legal owner to be the one who pays for utilities.

However all utility companies must have extra measures in place to look after their aged or vulnerable customers. Those measures might benefit your dad.
Discuss your options with your suppliers. The circumstances with you and your dad are far from unusual. 

FlorayG

They can be in anybody's name. I've even had bills sent to a different address to the one receiving the service

bryanb

Most can be in both names

crumpet_man

It can be useful to have a utility bill in your name for proof of residence/address.

Reed_Richards

Be aware that everybody named on the  bill is jointly and severally liable to pay the bill.  

Alderbank

Everybody, including banks and Govt departments, are quite happy to accept a utility bill as 'proof'. It's bonkers.

My dog (he has his own email address) is the account holder for my broadband, because that way he got an introductory gift as a new customer. Vodafone are quite happy to address the bills to 'Mr Schnauzer' but of course they've never been to check whether he does live here.

Grizzlebeard

If you handle the bills and problems it's often better in your name.

If there are problems to solve, bill disputes, meter reading errors, phone enquiries regarding money, etc the company might require proof of power of attorney before they will deal with you directly. Some utilities have a habit of making that more complicated than it needs to be.

(Personal experience with a very elderly Mum-in-law in a house we own.)

grn99

Grizzlebeard said:

If you handle the bills and problems it's often better in your name.

If there are problems to solve, bill disputes, meter reading errors, phone enquiries regarding money, etc the company might require proof of power of attorney before they will deal with you directly…

Exactly this. Nominated on the account as a minimum, or Power of attorney in place and supplied to them, to act with the same “freedoms” as the account holder….I’ve had to do this for my parents.

Descrabled

I like the idea of the broadband, electric, etc being in the dog's name. I envisage a problem could ensue when there's a problem and cs want to talk to the bill payer to confirm the complaint.

Ms Descrabled is currently the bill payer at our home and when I phone cs they have a difficulty believing that my name is Jane and that they can discuss the problem with me without talking to my wife. I've tried the trans approach but they just laugh.

MrMeeples

Thanks for the replies. Looks like I'll have to get myself authorised on the accounts in some way in case I need to manage any issues.