Singing Pig

I rented out my property to a builder who was splitting the house into 2. I completed an AST with him. I had told him that I'd let him off the rent for the first couple of months while he was doing the building work, but I informed the utilities and council that he was responsible for their respective bills (as per the AST).

After starting doing good work, he suddenly dissappeared from site/house. He never paid me any rent, and also ran off with lots of my money for the work to split the house (I know....I should have held more money back etc etc......thats not the issue here).

I have since reclaimed the property by serving an abandonment notice. However, I have today recieved a bill from the utility supplier for £900 for his gas and electric. He has obviously not paid any bills while at the property (I had seen a few letters from them addressed to him using his name (so they know he was responsible) but couldn't touch them until the abandonment notice had finalised (yesterday)), and need to know if I become legally liable for the amount he owes??? Also, can the council persue me to the same effect as I now doubt he has paid them either! 

 I always thought that with a valid AST in place, the council and utilities would have to persue the tenant and that I could not be asked for the money? (I don't know exactly where he resides currently, although I could find out with a little research, but I think I know where he is possibly moving to shortly, so will have an address then).

 Anyone got any experience of this type of thing???

Hi,

Good news Gary, you are not responsible for either his council tax or utility bills, i assume your AST states that he was responsible for paying them..

I have never been asked to actually produce documented evidence yet,such as an AST, for a tenant that has left owing utilities or council tax..

If you can possibly find his current address, pass it on..... It will move future debt collectors away from your address, and it feels good as well.

 Paul

I assume that your tenant signed agreements with the council and the utility companies to say he would be responsible for the bills? if so, as paul says, you should be ok. if not, you may have problems.

have you provided closing meter readings to the utilities from the date he left ?

when he moved in, I informed the council and the utility company that he had moved in and was responsible (also giving meter reads). I obviously have the AST which states he is responsible, which he has signed. I cant do more than that. If they then write to him and he ignores the letters I cant know about it or do anything about it. I dont get sent a contract by them for me to get him to sign.

The abandonment notice took effect as of 21st August, and I do have meter readings, which I will pass on to the utilities on Tuesday.

You have done everything right as landlord, nothing to worry about!

Do try and give a new address to utility and council for your errant tenant, otherwise your address remains as the last known address for all future debt collectors,

and it is surprising how often the debts get sold on, and how persistently they will chase your address for your errant tenants debts..