tricky one?

[helster]

Hi, this is a tricky one and I'd really appreciate some advice.
In March 03 I moved out of a shared rented property. I lived there from Sep 00.
Bills were in joint names and were paid.
Water bills were never paid as we thought it was included in the rent.
I was contacted by a debt recovery company demanding 500 pounds in unpaid water bills. They say that the account was never opened and no money was every paid on the account.
They found me by tracking down my sister.
I have spoken to two of the other tenants that lived there who are as confused as I am.
The account was closed by someone I've never heard of in 05.
Any advice will be very gratefully recieved.
Hx

[Twenty20]

Usually, tenants will be liable for all utilities bills unless it says otherwise in your tenancy agreement. Check the agreement, if you still have it. If the agreement says youre liable then you and the others in the property are jointly liable for the bill and you will have to pay it.

I'm a bit confused though as you say the account with the water company was never opened but that it was closed in 2005?

[helster]

Hi.
Yes, I didn't open the account but they have my name.
I moved out in 2003 and the account was closed in 2005 so they want me to pay for someone elses water.
H