Advertisement
If you have a new account but are having problems posting or verifying your account, please email us on hello@boards.ie for help. Thanks :)
Hello all! Please ensure that you are posting a new thread or question in the appropriate forum. The Feedback forum is overwhelmed with questions that are having to be moved elsewhere. If you need help to verify your account contact hello@boards.ie
Hi there,
There is an issue with role permissions that is being worked on at the moment.
If you are having trouble with access or permissions on regional forums please post here to get access: https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058365403/you-do-not-have-permission-for-that#latest

Overdue bills in new rented house

  • 29-06-2009 10:43am
    #1
    LegacyUser
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 166,026 ✭✭✭✭


    Hi -

    I moved in to a new rented house 3 months ago. I have a great big room, almost self suficient, I am very active and I haven't really befriended the housemates yet as such, I rarely sit in the living room and have a proper chat - we have very little in common.

    I recently noticed a succession on ESB letters in the mail box. As the bill only gets printed every 2nd months, it got me wondering what the story was. There was lette received just last, that did not look like a bill, so I decided to have a sneak peek through. It was cut of service letter saying that if the outstanding balance hadn't been paid, the ESB would come and cut off the electricity, on a certain date, and that it was the 'final notice' ... I freaked out obvioulsy. 1st of all, qwhere did the money I gave last month go and am I going to be out of electricity when I go home tonight? the letter was not under my name, so i am not supposed to have seen it.

    I haven't signed any papers linking me to this house. I pay the landlord the rent, but i am not on the lease.

    Not being a Ireland native, I don't have the option to go back to my folks if i am stuck and tha really worries me.

    I think i am being conned ...

    Any words of advise would be appreciated ...

    thank you :)


Comments

  • #2
    Das Kitty
    Moderators, Arts Moderators Posts: 17,231 Mod ✭✭✭✭Das Kitty


    Talk to your Landlord about it.


  • #3
    LegacyUser
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 166,026 ✭✭✭✭LegacyUser


    OP your situtation sounds exactly like mine was before I left my last rented house. There was a girl in my house who'd lived there years longer than me (terribly unfriendly housemates by the way) and she insisted on paying all the bills. Problem was that I'd leave the money and she would wait an age before paying. I offered several times to take over but she wouldn't allow it, and nearly all the bills were in her name - more fool her. We even had an ESB guy call to the door demanding the money and I had to pay late NTL charges more than once, which I eventually refused to do. I walked after nine months of pure heartache.

    I wouldn't worry if none of the bills are in your name, legally the person who took responsibility for it (ie. signed up in their name) are legally obliged to pay the bill and any late charges if they don't bother to pay up. My advice would be to start looking around on Daft for somewhere more hassle free. It's a renter's market at the moment and if you're not happy there (and your name isn't on the lease) then you can walk whenever you like.

    Also make sure not to put your name on ANY bills if you can at all avoid it. I'd question the other housemates straight out as to why the bills aren't being paid. Also if you're in a shared house I would have no qualms opening shared utility bills, even if they are not in your name. You are entitled to see what you owe regardless of who's name is on the envelope.


Advertisement