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Original poster

electricity and water.... pls help!!! dont kno wot 2 do

14 replies

jowil · 08/11/2004 11:41

hi i have a problem me and p have just split and as far as i was aware he had been paying the water and electric (we certainly seemed to be paying it every mth) it turns out he had been using the money for something else!!!which i wont go into now. now my dilema is that the water bill is 300 and electricity is 500 and i just cant afford this on my own... but the 2 bills were in his name only is there anyway i could either a) ring up and claim i just moved in b) what would happen if i rang and tell the truth? i need to know even though my name was not on these bills will i be liable?

pls help because i am now frightened they will turn my electricity and water off and with a 8 mth baby that isnt a good thing at all!!!

OP posts:
nutcracker · 08/11/2004 11:43

Hmmm not really sure tbh but if they are in his name then i would say it is down to him.

Is the house in both names ???

Original poster
jowil · 08/11/2004 11:46

nutcracker... yes in both names but it is privately rented. i just cant believe he has done this!! got a letter on sat from water and then one this morn from powergen... feel like crying i just dont know what to do!!!

OP posts:
nutcracker · 08/11/2004 11:49

Like i said i am not really 100% sure what is the best to do BUT if both bills are in his name and the companies have no record of your name then I would ring up and say you have just moved in, set up an account for both in your name and then take it from there.

They may ask you for a forwardig address for your exp so be prepared for that.

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nutcracker · 08/11/2004 11:51

If they ask for forwarding address then tbhy i would say you don't have one as you didn't know the person living there before.

I don't see that you would be doing anything wrong as the bills aren't in your name.

Hope this helps.

Original poster
jowil · 08/11/2004 11:53

yeh that what i thought.... do you think they have access to the electoral roll though? because my name has been on this address for same length of time as his? that the only thing i am scared of is telling a fib and getting found out by them!! thanks xx

OP posts:
mothernature · 08/11/2004 11:54

jowil look on your other posting - please -

LIZS · 08/11/2004 11:56

When you say it is privately rented is there an agent involved. If so they would know that you were there already and would be responsible for the getting the meters read at a change of tenancy. Not sure that lying will get you off the hook as the tenancy was in joint names.

Think you need to get to CAB or local advice shop asap. Clarify the situation as to who is liable for the bills and ask them to negotiate an easy payment scheme if need be or at least to ensure you won't get cut off while they track your ex-p down (they shouldn't if an infant is involved anyway as long as they know). Those are pretty large bills - how long do they go back ?

good luck

Original poster
jowil · 08/11/2004 11:58

mothernature.... i double posted because i wasnt sure how many people would read on the legal topic i have been reading both as i want to ring them asap to put my mind at rest xx

OP posts:
Original poster
jowil · 08/11/2004 12:01

lizs.... no agent involved and never see the landlord really so meter reading is up to us. from what i can make out he hasnt paid either for over 12 mths surprised we havent been cut off before now really!!! he has paid bits but not much at all from what i can tell... why are electricity bills so confusing??!! xx

OP posts:
nutcracker · 08/11/2004 12:02

Everyone esle seems to have the oppopsite opinion to me, sorry if i am confusing things for you.

I just don't see why you should pay if it isn't in your name.

NomDePlume · 08/11/2004 12:04

Please think hard about it before you just phone them up and deny all knowledge of your ex-p saying that you are a new tenant. I think you are right to be very concerned that they will find out. It sounds like a massive risk to me, the penalties if you do find out could be devastating, much worse than the original debt.

My initial reaction would be to contact the CAB and ask for their very very good advice. I suspect that they will do just as Liz suggested.

NomDePlume · 08/11/2004 12:08

Nutty, I agree that jowill shouldn't morally have to pay for the bills as they are not in her name, but the fact remains that in all likelihood that in the case of a joint tenancy both parties are liable. I'm no legal eagle but it stands to reason that the providers will seek payment from the tenancy holders.

nutcracker · 08/11/2004 12:10

Jowil, do you know where your exp is ???

fostermum · 08/11/2004 14:02

i would say he was responsilble for bills in his name,i only say this coz my ex changed everything into my name without telling me then left, leaving me with the lot even though i told them the situation,i was told your name your problem, we lost the lot

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