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Then this morning my Friday morning stupor was shattered. It was one of those annoying warning / panic letters informing me that failure to call their free phone number in 7 days would result in debt recovery proceeding being taken. I phoned to be informed that the unpaid bill was indeed mine and that they hadn't been informed by the other utility company that I had moved out.
I know that some landlords have faced problems by water companies trying to collect outstanding water bills. Surely the fact that there was another occupier in place along with another utility provider registered at the property this means I"m no longer responsible for paying the utility provider despite me not informing the company directly that I've moved out? Other landlords experiences in dealing with utility companies would be appreciated.
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4 comments:
It sounds like the fault lies with your letting agent, not with the utility company. If your letting agent is "managing" the tenancy then they should have dealt with the transfer of liability, and they should have evidence of doing this. If they have the evidence then they should be able to sort it out with the utility companies. If they don't have evidence of doing this then in my opinion they must have been negligent and you may have a claim against them.
I agree the fault is with the letting agent but I fear they will wriggle out of it.
I always contact the utility companies and local Council to advise of a change of tenant and provide a forwarding address for the old tenant. That is the only way I can feel reasonably certain I will not have problems in the future.
One of the reasons I have prepayment meters in my flats, regardless of what the tenants think. I did once have EDF contact me about an outstanding bill on a prepayment meter and threats of court action, as they couldn't gain access to the property to update the rates. I guess there are no infallible methods.
I ALWAYS prepare a final utilities sheet for the tenant to sign before they leave which agrees the final meter readings, confirms that they are up-to-date with Council Tax payments and contains a forwarding address for them. I then submit all these details to the relevant companies MYSELF; It's the only way to be sure in my opinion. The whole job takes me less than 15 minutes .... time well spent given the potential hassle it avoids.
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