Renting - how to get out unscathed?

gozaimasu

Really old thread. Goodbye.

Captain_Mainwaring_2

Yep, and probably the rent too. "jointly and severally" liable is the term that is sometimes used. If they don't agree to change the names on the account then request that the accounts are terminated.

moneysavinmonkey

phone up the utility companies and let them know you are moving out and the date. Then phone them up on the day you move out or shortly thereafter and give them the date you moved out + the meter readings. They will then from that date forward write to 'the occupier' at the address and it is no longer your problem! In the past this has always worked smoothly for me, although there can be a delay in sending out the final bill, and i've never had to 'proove' that i've moved out or anything like that.

tbs624

Captain_Mainwaring wrote: »

Yep, and probably the rent too. "jointly and severally" liable is the term that is sometimes used. If they don't agree to change the names on the account then request that the accounts are terminated.

The OP said that his/her lease runs out in June and another tenant's expires in July- it's therefore unlikely that they are on one contract, so joint and several liability on rent would not be relevant. Moneysavingmonkey's advice is good, but I would also write recorded delivery to the utility companies to confirm that information. Presumably you'd do the right thing by the other tenants and make sure that you pay up your agreed share before you go too.

gozaimasu

Of course I'd be paying my share up until the date I leave. My worry is that I won't be able to get their share from them in order to pay the bill that would be in my name, thus leaving me liable if they just don't pay it. I believe that overdue bills also reflect badly on your credit record?

I'll phone the utilities companies and tell them when I'm leaving and hopefully will get them to send out a bill before then. Changing the name over for the phone/broadband would be impossible though - I already tried to do that at the start but they said that since the 12 month contract is in my name, changing names would require a new contract with the new person's name, thus I'd be cancelling my contract after a month and starting a new one.

Thanks for all your helpful replies

Captain_Mainwaring_2

tbs624 wrote: »

The OP said that his/her lease runs out in June and another tenant's expires in July- it's therefore unlikely that they are on one contract, so joint and several liability on rent would not be relevant. Moneysavingmonkey's advice is good, but I would also write recorded delivery to the utility companies to confirm that information. Presumably you'd do the right thing by the other tenants and make sure that you pay up your agreed share before you go too.

I can't work out the split dates.

Is ther one payment of rent or several differing ones?

moneysavinmonkey

i've never been able to get utilities companies to send out final bills before i've moved out.. because they won't generate bill + close the account until the final meter reading is given. Certainly ask for an interim bill though.

Have you asked the phone company if they will transfer the line contract to your new property. I've certainly done that with BT before.