Defaulted utility bill! Advice please

[Pussy Galore]

Hi there.

I checked my clearscore report as normal and randomly a water company has come up as default. I contacted them immediately and it turns out it was from 5 years ago.

I was living with my then partner at this property, I left and I guess he never paid the bills!! I stupidly didn't call to take my name off the account (I left due to him being violent so I left quite quickly) I showed them a bank statement showing my new address but it turns out he hadn't paid the bills for 6 months whilst I was living there with him. (I would transfer him half of the rent and bill money each month - it was his tenancy)

I have contacted his letting agency and they have emailed me confirming that the tenancy was never in my name & the tenancy states utility bills are the tenants responsibility- so my ex partner only!

I forwarded this to the water company and they are telling me because my name is on the account, I have to pay up for the 6 months that i did live there. I did live there for that 6 month period but I directly paid my half of the bills and rent to my ex. They said my ex is refusing to pay any of it.

I was just wondering if anyone knows if they can do this? Surely if the tenancy states that its the tenants responsibility and that I wasn't the tenant, the bill doesn't fall on me?

I'm so stressed and feel sick over this. I cant afford £300 at the moment and I really dont feel its fair I have to pay this, as I already gave my ex plenty of money to live there.

Any advice would be really welcome

Thank you x

 

[Clickbait]

How did they get your name to pursue this if he was the tenant and paid the bills (with the money you gave for your share)?

Is this default on Clear Score a new thing or are you new to Clear Score? Is there something that may have triggered them tracking you down?

I know there is a statute of limitations when it comes to businesses claiming back unpaid bills so I Googled it and this is what it says:

“Creditors have to take legal action about debts within certain times which are set out in the Limitations Act 1980. For most sorts of debts and bills in England and Wales this time is six years. If the creditor doesn't start court action within this time, the debt is not enforceable because it is ‘statute-barred’.”

I’d suggest trying to speak with someone at Citizen’s Advice Bureau as they’ll be in a position to provide some legal advice. If your name was on the bill solely you’ll probably have less wiggle room than if it was joint. If it was just in his name I can’t see how they’ve even connected the dots to you.

 

[Pussy Galore]

How did they get your name to pursue this if he was the tenant and paid the bills (with the money you gave for your share)?

Is this default on Clear Score a new thing or are you new to Clear Score? Is there something that may have triggered them tracking you down?

I know there is a statute of limitations when it comes to businesses claiming back unpaid bills so I Googled it and this is what it says:

“Creditors have to take legal action about debts within certain times which are set out in the Limitations Act 1980. For most sorts of debts and bills in England and Wales this time is six years. If the creditor doesn't start court action within this time, the debt is not enforceable because it is ‘statute-barred’.”

I’d suggest trying to speak with someone at Citizen’s Advice Bureau as they’ll be in a position to provide some legal advice. If your name was on the bill solely you’ll probably have less wiggle room than if it was joint. If it was just in his name I can’t see how they’ve even connected the dots to you.

My name is apparently on the bill... I assume he done it as I definitely didn't. It is both of our names on there so we are both liable for it. I only have to pay the 6 months that I was there as I have provided a bank statement showing my new address when I moved. He will have to pay the other 2 years that he lived there.

I've had clear score for ages and its randomly just come up - I guess as its defaulted.

I'll try and get in contact with citizens advice, thank you x

 

[Clickbait]

If you didn’t put your name on the bill then I don’t see how they can enforce it, otherwise people would be adding others willy-nilly to avoid payment. Really hope CAB can help you. Good luck! x