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Previous Landlord claiming bills
Hi all,
I moved out of my previous apartment 7 months ago. Now the landlord is claiming bills that are not even in my name. He never registered the meter reading when I moved in or out of the apartment. 1st year in the apartment, I was thrown an insane bill that I paid (including consumption for whoever was there before me) and we were supposed to settle the difference (we never did). Now that I suggested to communicate the readings so it is properly calculated and I pay the difference I owe, he doesn't agree and says that I should claim the money I paid from the previous tenant. Have you encounter this previously? I am planning to go legal and sue his a** for harassment and for throwing me out of the apartment to move in himself without giving me appropriate notice and not returning the bank deposit.
Any thoughts you share are appreciated.
Thanks!
Did you not have a moving in survey and take measurements of these in that regard? Do you for example have photographic proof of the reading you had on going in and out Iif not hoe can you prove what is yours?
I think if it's never been in your name he's hard pressed to claim you owe it all. My guess is it's just him trying it on.
Send a registered letter saying you will put your share of the bills into a bank saving account called bills and do so and he can have that when he Returns any deposit due. So if he does take legal action you have proof you were willing to pay the share of the bill you owe.
Also if he's moved himself in I think but others will correct that he can give less notice. Courts here cost money so be aware it may not be worth the cost.
Count your blessings this kind of landlord is very hard to deal with and sad a little too common here
By count your blessings I mean you're better off away from them and hopefully now you have a better landlord
" I am planning to go legal and sue his a** for harassment and for throwing me out of the apartment to move in himself without giving me appropriate notice and not returning the bank deposit."
Do. You should get at least 9 months' rent out of it.
If the bills are not in your name, you have no responsibility for them. The utilities company can only sue the person on the bill.
What should happen is that as part of the moving in survey, you agree the meter readings and fill in a transfer form to change the bill to the person taking over the property. Same at moving out. It sounds like you've completely neglected to do this.
As you're going to be talking to a lawyer to get legal advice on recovering the compensation that is owed to you, I'd also suggest you mention the bills situation as well.
