Bill bother
Question
The tenant renting my property seems to have changed the electricity supplier and didn't inform me. Now they've moved out and not paid their last bill and the debt collectors are being sent to me. Who is responsible for the electricity bill in a rented property? And is there any way I can stop the debt collectors?
Answer
Landlords have a responsibility for ensuring properties have a gas/electricity supply, but this does not mean they are responsible for paying bills in the tenant's name.
If the tenant changed the electricity supplier then it's likely the bill will be in their name and so they would have the unpaid debt.
It would be sensible for you to make a note of final meter readings and pass these onto the supplier. If you have a forwarding address for the tenant you could also pass this on.
Some tenancy agreements include a clause forbidding tenants from changing suppliers, if this is the case you could show a copy of that to the new electricity supplier. Many utility suppliers have a formal complaints procedure; you may want to use this and send them a complaint in writing if you feel they are behaving unreasonably.
It could be more complicated if the bills are in your name, even though you didn't agree to a contract with the new suppliers. If this is the situation you may wish to speak to your local Citizens Advice Bureau or a local solicitor.
Updated: 15/02/2005
Question answered by Shelter
