UK Landlord Forum / Life

Hi,

We've received a letter addressed to the occupier relating to an unpaid gas bill. After looking at the start of our tenancy, this bill covers a period of time where the house was empty. Our landlord is refusing to pay, saying we should have sent the company a closing meter reading when we moved in but we were unaware of the existing account, as we had automatically been set up with a different supplier by the estate agents.

I just want to know what our rights are. The issue is stressing me out as I don't want to pay the sum when I didn't even live here at that time. The gas company are aware of the situation but have said they cannot help as its a third party dispute. Our landlord is yet to respond to our email regarding payment.

Please help!

You are liable for the utility bills for the time you are occupying the property. It's as simple as that.

You aren't liable for the utility bills before you moved into a property.

You aren't liable for the utility bills after you move out of a property.

As a Tenant moving in, you should have told your new supplier what the meter reading was on the day... no-one can guess it. But, also, the Landlord or his Agent, should have taken a meter reading at the Check-In.

I do.. one of the last parts of my Check-In procedure with new Tenants is to take meter readings... then I (the Landlord) inform the utility companies of the closing readings for me, and the fact that the Tenants are now liable for the bill. Common sense, really. Maybe your Landlord has none... common sense?

Get in touch with the utility company in question and let them know the date you moved in... it would be good if you had that opening meter reading to-hand (maybe your current supplier can tell you what was used?)... and then give them all your Landlord's contact details. You do not pay for someone else's bill, obviously. It's not a third-party dispute at all - you just provide proof (your AST should suffice) to the utility company that you weren't living there for the dates the bill covers... simples. <squeak>