Ex Dh wants me to transfer the debt

[Doubtfuldaphne]

I’ve posted quite a bit recently, the latest problem I have (amongst many) is that all the bills plus rent are going to have to be paid by me now he’s leaving. The gas and electric is in his name for our address but obviously we’ve both been using it. I was sending him money every month to pay it but it turns out the account is nearly £3200 in arrears! The amount I was sending wasn’t covering it and this debt goes back years.
He wants me to put all the bills in my name as he’s leaving
What do I say? I can’t add more debt to my name but at the same time I have contributed to this building up. We can’t go halves to pay it off as all our money is going on housing and I’m now having to claim universal credit as my wage is low. I only earn just under £2k a month.

No?

That seems to cover it.

I just know this’ll blow up into an almighty row which I really don’t want. How does it work as it’s in his name but our address? Am I liable?

Contact Women's aid for advice.
Do not agree to it.
His name, his debt.
You paid your half.
He chose not to pay it.
Stick to this story and don't move from it.
Agree to transfer it from a certain date, but NOT the debt under ANY circumstances.
His debt, is on him.

Don’t do it. The debt is in his name and it’s his problem.

You’re right, I have been paying every month towards it.

Don't agree to a transfer, just set up a new supply with a different supplier. He can sort the old account out.

How do I transfer it without the debt though? Maybe continue sending him my monthly amount until I move out?

Yes! Thats the answer. Set up a new supplier. I’ll do that this week.

Excellent suggestion 👏

Not your problem if you've been giving him money for it all along in good faith that he was paying it.

I might lie and say I would (not on text or anything) and then not do it once he's left.

I don't think they just transfer accounts into another person's name anyway, do they? I think they'd want to close his account and you'd need to open a new one.

I think I’ll say that - they won’t transfer the name and the account must close. Then I will set up a new supplier. Thank you! This is such a weight off my mind. I just couldn’t figure out what to say or do

You may find that once you take meter readings they show there isn't debt at all and he's At It...

Was he just not checking what the meter was at or was he not paying his half in? Either way if it's in his name I'm fairly certain it's his problem. Are you moving to a new place or staying put? The suggestion to start a new account with a different supplier in your name is definitely the way to go though

I’m moving but it could be months yet. I managed to log in to the account and my jaw hit the floor when I saw the amount it was in debit by

He should have been telling you that the account was in a deficit all this time. He’s the one who has let it build up to such a big number.

So he has not paid the bill, despite taking money from you for it?
Well it is in his name, and is on him.
Do not accept any part of this.
Don't text about it at all.
Be careful what you say about it.
Box clever.
This is all on him.

Could you work out roughly how much you gave him to pay the bill? It must add up to a significant amount.

Also if he was the one supposed to be covering the rest of the bill then that was supposed to be one of his contributions to the household. If he lived there until recently then much if not all of this accrued debt happened while he was resident in the house and should have been paying for living expenses including this bill which as far as you were aware he was paying as his proportion of the expenses.

He can't now decide that you should be paying for a bill that a) he was accruing himself by using the service provided, b) formed part of his contributions to the family c) was apparently happy to have this be his contribution as you must have agreed it as a couple, overtly or not.

Ignore him, he's a moron or he's chancing his luck because he thinks he can manipulate you/thinks you're too nice to disagree with him.

A new supplier may do a credit check on your address

This doesn't exist. It's only on her personally, and I'd think you've have to be an utter disaster to be refused an energy account!

If the debt is currently in his name that is positive for you.
Check the account for any payments and whether that is the amount you put in or double that. Write him a response with this information in it, and say you are not willing to take on the account unless it is clear of debt, you have been paying towards the debt and he has added nothing (or whatever) to the account in the last x years. There fore you are unwilling to take on this debt.

Technically you are joint and severally liable for debts when married but he doesn't know that I am betting and so may bow to this pressure - and you have paid your contribution so he rightly should be pressurised.

I would also contact the company involved and make sure they know you do not agree to being on their bill and log that with them incase he sneakily tries to add you as a party to that debt.

I would also check all other bills, bank accounts and joint monied areas as well as pension situation as it may be that he is also hiding money if you have paid him and this bill hasn't been paid at all. This is why monies should be sorted at the time of divorce so a line can be drawn.

Yes , some does credit checks,

No, it doesn't. You don't credit check an address, only a person. It used to be the address.

My new neighbours had a right ght game trying to find a company to provide her gas/electric because the address had been black listed due to old tenants not paying bills!

Take photos of the meter readings for the new supplier

Technically you are joint and severally liable for debts when married but he doesn't know that I am betting
Once you are separated or started divorce proceedings your debts are your own and not joint. For instance I am not responsible for the credit card in DHs name even though I am an additional card holder and use it. However I might be entitled to less assets if he can't rehome himself due to debt, but if he can then I still get my share of the assets and he gets all the named debt.

OP - refuse to pay. The debt agency can only come after the person who signed the contract. I assume you didn't do a joint signature on it.