UK Landlord Forum / Life

Hi all
My very difficult tenant is finally leaving.
I asked him for a copy of the closing statements for the utilities but he is refusing to give them to me.
How do I ensure he has paid all the bills before I release the deposit?

Thank you

Do you know the name of the companies for the water, gas and electric.

For the next tenant, it is possible to have meters installed.  I have meters for gas/electric in my property and only have to deal with the water company.
What about the poll tax?

If  the terms of the lease state that the tenant is responsible for the utilities and council tax (Poll tax was abolished many years ago) then this has no bearing on the deposit.The latter is between you and the tenant,to cover any damage or failure to leave the place in a decent condition.Sometimes,it may have to be used to make up rent arrears as well.The utilities cannot pursue you for payment,unless you have some special arrangement with them. 

I haven't lived in the UK for over 20 years, could not remember what the tax was.

Not your problem.

The tenant has a contract with the utilities companies.  Once you have agreed exit meter readings with him, you phone the utilities and tell them you are now responsible for all new bills after the move out date.
Anything outstanding is nothing to do with you.

I would photograph all the meters with the date on them- on the date he leaves, with the tenant there if possible, send him a copy and ask him to let the relevant companies know. As long as you have not got a contract with the utilities companies, you will not be liable- make sure you have letters/tenancies to prove the tenant is leaving, the date etc. You will not be liable for any useage whilst your tenant is tenanted at the property. If you are on a rolling tenancy, then make sure you have his notice letter/your notice letter- anything that proves the leaving date.

Quote from: kesm on July 01, 2018, 07:33:31 AMHow do I ensure he has paid all the bills before I release the deposit?

There's a basic misunderstanding here. You've not contracted with the Utilities Companies, your Tenant has. If your Tenant removes themselves from this contract then you, as the Landlord, don't automatically become liable for their outstanding balance. That would be crazy... people all over the country would be trying to take advantage of this when moving house.

What happens is that you take meter readings, then you provide the Utilities Companies with those readings. It's obviously better if you're providing those readings along with a forwarding address and other contact details of the ex-Tenant. It is then the job of the Utility Company in question to get their money, from the person who consumed their product... not some other party. It's also obviously better if you and the outgoing Tenant agree what those meter readings are - photos at Checkout are the best means of achieving that.

The Deposit isn't for non payment of bills... because those bills don't become your bills.