SearchWho is liable for lines work?
Shannon asks:
(updated on Friday, October 04th 2013)
The lines company which manages the power supply (not retail electricity) to my rental property has demanded my contact details and advised that I will be liable for any unpaid lines fees if my tenant fails to pay. They likened this policy to council rates but I don't see this as an accurate comparison as the account is in the tenant's name and all bills are sent directly to him. Are they within their rights to demand liability on my part for an account held in my tenant's name?
Our Experts Answer:
The Residential Tenancies Act 1986 (the Act) applies only to the relationship between landlords and tenants and does not cover the relationship between a property owner and a lines company. I would suggest you seek independent legal advice from a solicitor or your local community law centre to discuss the lines company’s request.
Most Read
| Unity First Home Buyer special | 3.95 |
| SBS FirstHome Combo | 3.99 |
| TSB Special | 4.49 |
| ICBC | 4.49 |
| Unity Special | 4.49 |
| Kiwibank Special | 4.49 |
| SBS Bank Special | 4.49 |
| Co-operative Bank - First Home Special | 4.55 |
| BNZ - Std | 4.59 |
| Kainga Ora | 4.59 |
| ASB Bank | 4.59 |
| Unity Special | 4.89 |
| ICBC | 4.89 |
| BNZ - Std | 4.89 |
| Kiwibank Special | 4.89 |
| Kainga Ora | 4.95 |
| China Construction Bank | 4.95 |
| TSB Special | 5.09 |
| ASB Bank | 5.09 |
| SBS Bank Special | 5.09 |
| Nelson Building Society | 5.09 |
| AIA - Go Home Loans | 5.09 |
| Westpac Special | 5.59 |
| ICBC | 5.65 |
| Kainga Ora | 5.69 |
| TSB Special | 5.69 |
| SBS Bank Special | 5.69 |
| AIA - Go Home Loans | 5.69 |
| ASB Bank | 5.69 |
| BNZ - Std | 5.79 |
| Kiwibank Special | 5.79 |
| Co-operative Bank - Owner Occ | 5.89 |
| China Construction Bank | 5.99 |
| SBS FirstHome Combo | 3.29 |
| AIA - Back My Build | 3.34 |
| SBS Construction lending for FHB | 3.74 |
| CFML 321 Loans | 3.95 |
| Co-operative Bank - Owner Occ | 4.99 |
| Co-operative Bank - Standard | 4.99 |
| Heartland Bank - Online | 5.30 |
| ICBC | 5.39 |
| Kiwibank - Offset | 5.65 |
| Kiwibank Special | 5.65 |
| Kiwibank | 5.65 |
