Meter Readings Help. Moving in/out?

Chris1712

Chris1712

Chris1712

Soldato
Joined
29 Jul 2004
Posts
9,729
Location
Bristol
Hi all, having some hassle with my previous landlord. I was under the impression (and indeed it has been the case for the last 3 tenancies) that it was the responsibility of the new tenants (ie moving in) to take a meter reading so that they don't get any of my previous bill? Correct?

Anyway, this happened and everything is still in my name!
So, who's responsibility is it? I'm aware now that I probably should have informed the companies anyway but its too late now.

Anyone shed some light on this?

Chris.
 
The landlord should have taken a reading once you moved out and you should also have taken a reading to tally with this. Sounds extereme but a quick photo from your generic camera photo will resolve this issue. And yes then the new tenant should take a reading the second they move in.

If the place is empty the landlord should have turned everything off he shouldnt have had to pay much at all if anything.

Is your old landlord suggesting you have to pay until they change provider or something because of course your be paying while they mess about a few weeks moving in etc. I've always thought that if you are moving out and the flat/house/cave is empty it should be put in the landlords name or letting agency. I could be wrong I own my place so when selling its a very quick change over process.
 
I moved out end of June, and the new tenants havent bothered phoning the suppliers basically. So I've just got bills up until now for the old house. Its too late to do anything about the meter reading now, I just left it because the last 3 tenancies it has clearly stated it was the responsibility of the new tenant to take a reading and contact the suppliers. I assumed this was how it was supposed to be so just left and now I'm getting stung.
 
Chris1712 said:
I moved out end of June, and the new tenants havent bothered phoning the suppliers basically. So I've just got bills up until now for the old house. Its too late to do anything about the meter reading now, I just left it because the last 3 tenancies it has clearly stated it was the responsibility of the new tenant to take a reading and contact the suppliers. I assumed this was how it was supposed to be so just left and now I'm getting stung.
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Well i would have contacted my electric company to say i was moving out so they had that dated then there is no reason you should get another bill (you know to do this for future reference now). You could always pop around there and ask for the money and also ask why they havent informed there provider. Might shock them into getting there finger out otherwise they are just going to take the **** while you foot the bill.
 
I just left it because the last 3 tenancies it has clearly stated it was the responsibility of the new tenant to take a reading and contact the suppliers. I assumed this was how it was supposed to be so just left and now I'm getting stung.
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sorry but how could you be so stupid? :o

just think about it for a moment. what the hell do the suppliers care about your tenancy agreement? the bill is in your name therefore it's in your best interest to tell them exactly when you leave. the landlord/new tenants are irrelevant in this scenario.
 
The problem is the bills are running between both tenancies.

IE this one is from the start of june to the end of july. Tenancy stopped 30 June. Thats conveniently split in half or near enough. Its a royal pita though.

I already have an overdue bill from the old house waiting for my other housemates to pay me, and I don't have the money to just pay it and wait this time. All this because the new tenants don't bother reading the meter when they move in. I need to discover for certain whose fault it is basically!

marc2003 said:
sorry but how could you be so stupid? :o

just think about it for a moment. what the hell do the suppliers care about your tenancy agreement? the bill is in your name therefore it's in your best interest to tell them exactly when you leave. the landlord/new tenants are irrelevant in this scenario.
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Well I know this now don't I.
 
Chris1712 said:
The problem is the bills are running between both tenancies.

IE this one is from the start of june to the end of july. Tenancy stopped 30 June. Thats conveniently split in half or near enough. Its a royal pita though.

I already have an overdue bill from the old house waiting for my other housemates to pay me, and I don't have the money to just pay it and wait this time. All this because the new tenants don't bother reading the meter when they move in. I need to discover for certain whose fault it is basically!
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I'd try the CAB. Just because you didn't give a meter reading when you moved out doesn't (imo) mean that you're liable to pay for gas/electric that other people have used. You can certainly prove when you moved out. Moving is a stressful time in one's life, it's easy to forget to do important little things during this time.
 
Chris1712 said:
I need to discover for certain whose fault it is basically!.
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yours. you left on a certain date. if you told the supplier that would the end of it as far as your concerned.

the new tenants move in but don't tell the supplier? so what? it wouldn't be your problem. the supplier will send out a bill addressed to the occupier charging from the day you left. if the tenants didn't move in that day then they would have to come to some sort of agreement with the landlord over sharing the bill. again not your problem.

as it stands, it's very much your problem and i don't see an easy solution. it's not like you can demand money off these people.
 
it is the new tenants responsibility to take new readings and setup accounts in their name, however it is the old tenants responsibility to take final readings and close the account in their name, until you do so they can keep racking up bills in your name. obviously it's in your interest to close the account as the landlord may well have work done or something between tenants, which you then would be happily paying for
 
How long between when your last actual bill based on a meter reading, and when you moved out? im sure you could argue some kind of discount, if theres a big difference as you can prove when you moved out... although im sure you will be technicly liable they may cut you some slack.

But worse case you will take a hit for a months worth of other peoples bills looking at the time scales, just make sure the utility co are aware that you now definatley do not live there!
 
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Chris1712 said:
I moved out end of June, and the new tenants havent bothered phoning the suppliers basically. So I've just got bills up until now for the old house. Its too late to do anything about the meter reading now, I just left it because the last 3 tenancies it has clearly stated it was the responsibility of the new tenant to take a reading and contact the suppliers. I assumed this was how it was supposed to be so just left and now I'm getting stung.
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but what if nobody moved in, and the landlord used electricity to clean the place or redecorate.. it would still be in your name..


you should call them up and cancel with a meter reading on your last day tbh
 
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