Problems in shared housing
Bills in a shared house
You might pay your bills either:
to your landlord or agent
direct to an energy, phone, TV or internet company
Landlords are usually responsible for council tax in a shared house.
Contact your council tax team if you get a bill in your name.
Payments to your landlord for bills
Your bills might be either:
included in your rent
extra payments on top of your rent
Your landlord must give you the details in writing before you agree to a tenancy. This could be in your tenancy agreement or a separate document.
If the payments are not part of your rent, the agreement or document should say:
how much you have to pay or when you will be told this
when you have to pay or when you will be told this
Bills in your name
The person or people named on a bill are usually responsible for paying the bill.
Citizens Advice explains how to:
When you move out
Make sure you take your name off all bills if you move out.
Take a final meter reading and tell the energy company that you are moving out.
Your energy company can usually charge you for up to 2 days after you tell them you're leaving.
Contact the Citizens Advice consumer helpline about problems with energy bills.
Last updated: 11 March 2026
