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Claim Unpaid Tenant Bills with ConfidenceClaim Unpaid Tenant Bills with Confidencelandlord money claim?landlord money claim?
If you have had to pick up water, broadband, or other tenancy-linked bills yourself, this guide helps you work out what can be claimed back and how to present it clearly.
Start here if you need the main guide on this issue. If your situation is narrower or you want the next practical step, go to tenant not paying rent in the UK.
If you want the wider background first, read landlord money claim guide.
Ready to act? The quickest route from here is money claim pack for unpaid rent.
Claim Unpaid Bills from Tenant
Water rates, broadband, TV licence, and other bills your tenant was responsible for but didn't pay.
Common Bills You Can Claim
Water Rates
Metered or unmetered water bills charged to the property during tenancy.
Broadband/Internet
Internet service bills if tenant was contractually responsible.
TV Licence
TV licence fees if specified in tenancy agreement.
Phone Lines
Landline rental or phone service charges.
Waste Collection
Private waste collection or bulky item removal charges.
Service Charges
Building service charges if tenant was responsible.
Important: Gas and electricity usually transfer with the tenant automatically. Suppliers typically pursue the person using the energy directly. See our unpaid utilities guide for specific energy bill situations.
Water Bills: Special Considerations
Why Water is Different
- Water companies cannot disconnect supply for non-payment
- Bills are often tied to property, not occupant
- Landlords may remain ultimately liable to water company
- Metered properties: easier to calculate tenant's usage
Metered Properties
- • Get meter readings at start and end of tenancy
- • Request itemised bills for tenancy period
- • Clearly shows tenant's actual usage
- • Easier to prove amount owed
Unmetered Properties
- • Fixed annual charge based on rateable value
- • Calculate tenant's share by days occupied
- • Get statement covering tenancy dates
- • May need to apportion annual bill
Evidence You Need
Essential Documents
- • Tenancy agreement (bill liability clauses)
- • Bills/statements for tenancy period
- • Proof you paid the bills
- • Tenancy start and end dates
- • Calculation of amounts owed
Supporting Evidence
- • Correspondence requesting payment
- • Letter before action sent
- • Meter readings (if applicable)
- • Bank statements showing payments
- • Provider correspondence/demands
Unpaid Bills Evidence Checklist
- Tenancy agreement bill clauses
- Itemised bills/statements
- Proof of your payment
- Tenancy period confirmation
- Written payment requests
- Letter before action
- Breakdown by bill type
- Interest calculation
Start Your Unpaid Bills Claim
The Money Claim Pack includes court documents and guidance for recovering all types of tenant debts.
Start Your Claim — £49.99Court fees from £35 extra (based on claim amount)
Unpaid bills FAQs for landlords
Frequently Asked Questions
Plain-English help, the right documents, and checks that stop avoidable mistakes before they cost you months.
- We flag problems before you generate anything, so you do not waste time on the wrong route.
- Answer plain-English questions and we build the documents that fit your case.
- Preview first, fix anything that changed, and regenerate without starting from scratch.