I used to share a flat with a friend. I moved out at the end of the tenancy, and they stayed on, under a new tenancy.
The friend was responsible for the water account. I was responsible for the electricity account.
Without my knowledge, my friend had added me as 'an additional account holder' on to the water account. Probably nothing malicious, likely so that I could discuss account problems if they were away.
Two months after my tenancy had ended there, I kept getting text messages telling me to pay my water bill. I informed the friend that they had a water bill due, and asked why my number was getting the text messages. They did not know. I asked them to make sure they swapped my number with theirs, so that they got the messages about their bills. I could not access the account, as it was not in my name.
I then noticed my credit score going down and down. I had no idea why.
I got another text message, saying that I had missed payments for water bills. I called the water company, and they told me that I was responsible for paying the bills as I was listed as a second account holder. They told me that my credit rating will be impacted for 6 years as there were missed payments linked to me.
How can I be responsible for bills for a property that I no longer live at? I also had no notice that I was listed on the account, and I would not have consented. How can they claim to hold someone responsible for bills that they have no access to or no consent from?
I sent a furious message to the friend, who claimed they had no idea what was happening, but they have since paid the bill.