UK Landlord Forum / Life

We have recently invested in a buy to let. But Just discovered the current tenant has not paid elec bill and is about to leave. The bill problem appears to go back a fair way into the thousands of pounds so clearly previous tenant and landlord didnt resolve it.

Who's responsibolity is it now?
The current tenant had informed us she wont be paying anything lol.

Can we legally provide the names & address to the elec company? Our agency are supposed to be managing the property for us but clearly hid the issue about the bills.
What can we do about this? 

Solid advice welcome

Why has the current Tenant got the impression they won't be paying anything? Was the electricity included in the previous (still current) arrangement?

Yes all billing should have registered in their name but apparently they havent done so. Our managing agency was supposed to resolve this on our behalf. Its the whole point of hiring them.

Assume we are not liable then here?

Few other things :

1) they complained that the meter had not been working properly
2) they are masters students from china with limited english accoeding to them so they didnt go ahead and sort out the meter issue or inform us until the very end of the contract
3) agency kept all this very quiet
4) the agency have allowed the current tenants to extend their stay without notification also

Your expectations of your Agent seen unrealistic, to me. However, no, you are not liable. You have proof they've been residing there and using the electricity. I'm still not clear why they think it's not down to them, you haven't said why?

Our agreement with our agent was they manage it which also included cleaning and any maintenance. I deem this reasonable.

Re student not paying bill. They never signed up with power company from their previous tenancy. Shes refusing to pay on the grounds that her and her flatmate claim the meter was faulty and was overcharging apparently 

So arrange to find out if the meter is faulty.

If it is, you go one route.

If it isn't, you go another.

Still not your debt.

Quote from: Mathyi on September 07, 2016, 01:24:25 PM
Our agreement with our agent was they manage it which also included cleaning and any maintenance. I deem this reasonable.

Re student not paying bill. They never signed up with power company from their previous tenancy. Shes refusing to pay on the grounds that her and her flatmate claim the meter was faulty and was overcharging apparently

How did they know the meter was faulty if they had never had cause to be billed by it.
Something does not stack up here.

2 items come to mind which would be productive.

1. Phone the Electric company and explain the situation (write down name of person(s) you speak to and note time/date of calls)  - just stick to the fact that the bill hasn't been paid and the tenant is moving out - you don't need to dilute away from the important fact with things like the agency or potential faulty meter and roommates thinking it's overcharging
2. Find another agent or do it all yourself

And one for the bargain - start finding another tenant - best of british