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This is a longstanding problem for over a year. I had a solicitor look at this last year and an earlier tenancy agreement I had did confirm that my rent was inclusive of bills. This had always been the case for me and other past tenants in the building anyway.
But in May last year he put in gas and electric meters and then refused to put money in them, saying it was the tenants responsibility. The account for the meters is in his name. I have had to put money in to continue getting electric and gas, while making clear to him that it was his responsibility. So I realised that when I left I would have to take him (or his son should he die, he's 87) to court for money owed.
Of course he could put in meters but he should have paid money in. In reality he did it to try and harass tenants from the house so he could sell it and to try and also to get tenants to use less by forcing them to pay.
Now a new situation has arisen. He's put in a new tenant to share with me and this tenant's agreement is apparently exclusive of bills. I haven't seen the agreement but that's what the landlord and tenant say. The previous tenant who shared with me had been inclusive of bills.. So far the new tenant has not paid any money into the meters. I am hoping that him being here isn't an argument for the landlord in court for not paying me all the money back. The meters cover the whole floor and there is no way to assess what amount of gas/electric each tenant is using. I am still having to put money in to continue getting gas and electric as the landlord refuses to. The landlord might try and say I am now paying for the other tenant as well. There is no agreement in place by the landlord with this new tenant to pay any particular amount each week for the meters.
But in May last year he put in gas and electric meters and then refused to put money in them, saying it was the tenants responsibility. The account for the meters is in his name. I have had to put money in to continue getting electric and gas, while making clear to him that it was his responsibility. So I realised that when I left I would have to take him (or his son should he die, he's 87) to court for money owed.
Of course he could put in meters but he should have paid money in. In reality he did it to try and harass tenants from the house so he could sell it and to try and also to get tenants to use less by forcing them to pay.
Now a new situation has arisen. He's put in a new tenant to share with me and this tenant's agreement is apparently exclusive of bills. I haven't seen the agreement but that's what the landlord and tenant say. The previous tenant who shared with me had been inclusive of bills.. So far the new tenant has not paid any money into the meters. I am hoping that him being here isn't an argument for the landlord in court for not paying me all the money back. The meters cover the whole floor and there is no way to assess what amount of gas/electric each tenant is using. I am still having to put money in to continue getting gas and electric as the landlord refuses to. The landlord might try and say I am now paying for the other tenant as well. There is no agreement in place by the landlord with this new tenant to pay any particular amount each week for the meters.
