Moving out soon - electric question

[Guest2]

We are moving out in July. All bills are included with our rent except gas, tv and sky.

We have been using an electric heater a few times in the past few months to dry clothes

She came around and said the electric bill is a lot more than usual.

Where do we stand legally as our contract said nothing about using specific items or what happens if we use too much water or electric

We need our deposits back for the new house we are moving to

 

[paullewis323]

Sticky one that

Have a word with a solicitor friend or letting agent if you have one

They will give best advise

Lew

 

[the shadow]

Who is She

 

[MeEsH BaKkA]

Electric heaters cost a fortune to use, so if you have been using one regularly then I expect that the bills are larger than usuall. If bills were included then you L/L will have to swallow it and no doubt not make that mistake again

 

[Guest2]

Who is She

sorry, landlord

 

[Deluxe1]

If you used a lot more electricity than normal then pay for it, everybody knows electric heaters cost a fortune to run.

 

[the shadow]

Electric heaters cost a fortune to use, so if you have been using one regularly then I expect that the bills are larger than usuall. If bills were included then you L/L will have to swallow it and no doubt not make that mistake again

 

[dirtychinchilla]

If they're included, though, it doesn't matter. Your landlord should continue to pay them, particularly since you evidently don't have anywhere else to dry clothes.

 

[cm1179]

She came around and said the electric bill is a lot more than usual.

Where do we stand legally as our contract said nothing about using specific items or what happens if we use too much water or electric

then don't worry about it

 

[~Divine~Wind~]

If your contract states electricity is included in the rent or you were told it was included and have proof and then then I can't really see what she could do tbh.

Hoe your deposit is with a DPS tho

 

[PermaBanned]

So she came round, told you the electric bill was high, then left?

 

[the shadow]

Go to a Laundrette next time keep the Flat smelling fresh

 

[kh85]

So she came round, told you the electric bill was high, then left?

Landlords probably tight of cash, and wanting a reason to keep all or some of the deposit. If the landlord isn't happy with the costs then they need to up the rent. If electric is included, then they have to pay for it, not start asking for extra money. Landlords can be very sneaky when it comes to moving out. Been in that situation!

 

[Guest2]

In our contract it states

4. THE Tenant will -
a. pay the rent at all times and in the manner specified
b. Pay for all gas electricity water and sewage services supplied to the property during the tenancy and the amount of all charges made for the use of the telephone (if any) at the property during the tenancy or a proper proportion of the sums demanded for the aforesaid utilities and facilities to be assessed according to the duration of the tenancy (for the avoidance of doubt such payment will be due in relation to amounts attributable to standing charges annual rates or levies or the like and to VAT as well as to actual consumption.

Further on in the agreement...

6. THE landlord agrees with the tennant as follows -
(1) To pay and indemnify the tenant against all assessments and outgoings in respects of the property (except and council tax and any charges for the supply of gas electricity water and sewage services or the use of any telephone payable by the tenant under clause 4 above)

 

[beamer]

"6. THE landlord agrees with the tennant as follows -
(1) To pay and indemnify the tenant against all assessments and outgoings in respects of the property (except and council tax and any charges for the supply of gas electricity water and sewage services or the use of any telephone payable by the tenant under clause 4 above)"

Is that really word for word what is written in the contract ?

The part in brackets doesn't form a legally binding sentence.

You need proper legal advice. Go to Citizens Advice Bureau. There are conflicts within the sections of your contract as posted. It is unclear what the fallback is with the conflicts.

Make sure you have copies of the rental advertisement or other evidence which clearly states that electricity is included in the rental charge - you will need it to contest.

 

[Guest2]

word for word - (except any council tax and any charges for the supply of gas electricity water and sewage services or the use of any telephone payable by the tenant under clause 4 above)"

 

[Deluxe1]

So have you actually asked her if she is expecting any money from you for the excess electricity?

 

[Guest2]

Make sure you have copies of the rental advertisement or other evidence which clearly states that electricity is included in the rental charge - you will need it to contest.

It was just agreed that electric, council and water rates are paid by the landlord. Nothing signed saying this or that it is covered in our amount that we pay.

Regarding the deposit, it was a cash deposit. We could just cancel the last month pay and pay the rest.

They have been good landlords for us and had no problems with anything else so don't want to screw them over. At the same time we don't want to lose our deposit

 

[Guest2]

So have you actually asked her if she is expecting any money from you for the excess electricity?

no

 

[Deluxe1]

Why not? She is the only one who can give you an answer not anyone on here.