No Gas..

danechip · 20 Sep 2021

In need of advice..

As some may know, I live in HMO (5 man house share).

One resident was taking £40 a month from us for gas and electric. He has failed to pay. Landlord came today and said, 'one of you will have to take it on' but refuses to sort the problem. I went to another supplier and it was declined because of 'an objection' from the current supplier. Another lad applied and was told they was £344 as he had a poor credit rating, so i imagine they didn't even get to the transfer stage.

We have been off gas since 30th Aug.

Can a HMO landlord do this?

Thanks in advance.

Dan.

danechip · 21 Sep 2021

bernardgreen · 21 Sep 2021

Bump this to the local council

https://www.gov.uk/renting-out-a-property/houses-in-multiple-occupation-hmo

Ihavenojob · 21 Sep 2021

Who's name is the bill in ?

Harry Bloomfield · 21 Sep 2021

danechip said:
One resident was taking £40 a month from us for gas and electric. He has failed to pay. Landlord came today and said, 'one of you will have to take it on' but refuses to sort the problem.

That sounds like a strange arrangement, trusting one of the tenants to collect for and pay the bill. I have zero experience of such, but I would expect it to be the landlords problem to collect the money and pay the bill himself, perhaps included as part of the rent - where there is only one bill for everyone's energy use.

CBW · 21 Sep 2021

In my opinion and being a landlord employee, I would expect this to be like a communal gas meter, and landlord pays, and incorporates it into the rent, that way he/she gets their payments and you all receive gas. Did the landlord cap the gas or the energy supplier?

Brigade77 · 21 Sep 2021

It all comes down to whose name is on the bill. HMO's are a landlord & tenants worst nightmare when it goes wrong & IME they need VERY careful consideration before getting involved.

Whoever's name is on that bill is responsible for any debt.

If the landlord has left it to the tenants to sort it out amongst themselve's then I doubt any landlord is foolish enough to have their name on the bill. If the tenants have elected a "responsible" person to collect each share towards any bills, then those tenants would be equally as foolish if it were their name on the bill & they weren't collecting that money.

Good luck with sorting it all out.

Harry Bloomfield · 21 Sep 2021

Brigade77 said:
Whoever's name is on that bill is responsible for any debt.

The OP has only told us that the guy has failed to pay the bill, I would surmise that it has not paid for several months before it was cut off, but where is this guy now?

For the future I would suggest before handing over the £40, that everyone should see a receipt to prove previous bills have been paid..

Brigade77 · 21 Sep 2021

Harry Bloomfield said:
For the future I would suggest before handing over the £40, that everyone should see a receipt to prove previous bills have been paid..

I would suggest that the landlord pours all the alcohol in the property down the drain & installs a pay meter. Problem solved.

blup · 21 Sep 2021

The landlord has pointed out that the tenants are responsible for paying the utility bills, so yes he can do this.

If you're still on electricity, as you seem to be, get a dual tariff with that company. It's getting colder and bills will be higher.

Blup

Bodd · 21 Sep 2021

HMOs are normally bills included meaning the landlord pays them. If I were a tenant I'd just move out to be fair

motorbiking · 21 Sep 2021

You start by reading the tenancy agreement, which should define how it works. You may have the right to withhold rent for the failure, but you need help. The charity Shelter may be able to advise you.

What does the agreement say about the responsibilities of the tenant regarding utilities?

danechip · 21 Sep 2021

I will have to dig it out and have a read. If the electric goes off, i will do what i need to do, but i won't touch gas. I was declined as the company refuses to pass it over. Another tenant tried and failed at credit check, Going to be a cold winter....

danechip · 22 Sep 2021

Just a thought, where can I purchase 30cm of 25mm cable lol. Wilkinson sell 10mm (lighting cable, yes, lighting cable) at £9.99 a metre.

JohnD · 22 Sep 2021

You can buy short lengths of 25mm meter tails at some electrical and DIY retailers.

I have an idea you can buy 750mm lengths at B&Q

What do you want it for?

No Gas..

Brigade77

Brigade77

Bodd

Similar threads