Previous owner didn't clear old bills. What should i do now?
I recently purchased a property a month back. After getting the possession of the same I realized that the previous bills are still pending such as electricity and gas bills. There was a specific point in the sale agreement that the previous and outstanding bills are to be paid by the seller.
After various verbal requests, the seller is not responding. The electricity and gas company is also not accepting my requests and threatening to cut the connection.
What can I do in such a case? Are there any judgments in my favor?
Answers (1)
What matters is the contract entered into by the erstwhile consumer with the Board. The Board cannot seek the enforcement of contractual liability against the third party.
In your case previous owner had failed to pay. Electricity distributor as well as mahangar gas ought to take legal proceedings against previous owner.
Haryana State Electricity Board v. Hanuman Rice Mills, Dhanauri, (2010) 9 SCC 145 = AIR 2010 SC 3835
Electricity arrears do not constitute a charge over the property. Therefore in general law, a transferee of premises cannot be made liable for the dues of the previous owner/occupier.
You are not liable to pay arrears as per abovementioned court’s judgement. You can make a complaint in the consumer forum against mahanagar gas / electricity distributor.
The internet is not a lawyer and neither are you.
Talk to a real lawyer about your legal issue.

Disclaimer: The above query and its response is NOT a legal opinion in any way whatsoever as this is based on the information shared by the person posting the query at LawRato.com and has been responded by one of the Property Lawyers at LawRato.com to address the specific facts and details. You may post your specific query based on your facts and details to get a response from one of the Lawyers at LawRato.com or contact a Lawyer of your choice to address your query in detail.
Related Questions
- whether noc fm sister is reqd in case of property gifted by dad to son
- what documents are required to buy property?
- What is the right of daughter in fathers property
- Compensation for deduction of property for road widening
- Procedure to cancel lease deed
- Project in NCLT, IRP Demand Default Payment via legal notice !!
"LawRato.com has handpicked some of the best Legal Experts in the country to help you get practical Legal Advice & help."
Related Articles
- how to get building completetion & occupancy certificate
- Can a Gift Deed be challenged in India? - Property Gift Deed Rules
- Sons and Daughters Rights in Father's Property
- Illegal Possession of Immovable Property/Land
- Joint Ownership of Property
- Family Property Dispute Legal Solution
- Transfer of Property to Legal Heir after Death
- How to Resolve Land Dispute
- How to sell property in pagdi system
- Grandson's Right in Grandfather's Property
- Hakka Sod Patra in Maharashtra
- How to get succession certificate
- Property Document Verification in Bangalore
- Ancestral Property Partition and Family Rights
- How to send property partition legal notice?