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The Daily Insight Hub

Who is liable for electricity bill?

Author

William Jenkins

Updated on February 13, 2026

Although tenants are usually responsible for paying utility bills, if they do not pay, the landlord may find themselves liable for the bills if the tenancy agreement doesn’t clearly assign responsibility to the tenant(s).

Am I responsible for a utility bill that is not in my name UK?

The utility bill will naturally come in the name of the owner only. If you have occupied that place or used that premises then you are responsible to pay the utility bill, even though it is not in your name.

Do I have to pay old electricity bill?

If you haven’t received an accurate gas or electricity bill for over a year, you might not have to pay for all the energy you’ve used. Under ‘back billing’ rules, your supplier cannot send you a bill for energy you used more than 12 months ago.

What bills are tenants responsible for?

Landlords and tenants are both responsible for paying bills. Under the Residential Tenancies Act tenants are responsible for all charges that can be exclusively attributed to their use while occupying the premises. This includes charges for utilities, electricity, gas and water charges.

Who is responsible for electricity and gas bills?

What Bills Are Tenants Responsible For? This depends on the tenancy agreement you have in place. Commonly, tenants are responsible for the following bills; Water; Electricity; Gas; Council tax; Internet; However, this is not always the case. Let’s look at two different situations; Utilities Registered In The Tenant’s Name

Can a landlord pay for a tenant’s electric bill?

You can choose to register bills in the landlord’s name and ask the tenant to pay you for their usage. This can be helpful for short lets, or if you rent out a room in your own house.

Who is responsible for paying your utility bills when you move in?

Utilities Registered In The Tenant’s Name When bills are registered in the tenant’s name, the tenant is responsible for paying them from the date they move into the property. However, they are not responsible for any debts left behind from previous tenants.

Who is responsible for unpaid water and electric bills?

Historical debts existed only because municipalities had failed to recover them. The court said a municipality had a duty to develop a culture of payment and had the right to disconnect electricity and water supplies in appropriate circumstances, and to take steps to collect amounts in arrears.