Hello!
My husband and I seem to have an unusual problem. We've been living in an apartment we bought for almost 2 years now under the assumption that our electricity and gas bills were included with all other apartment fees. Apparently, this wasn't the case as we have now been contacted by ENECO to create a new contract with them. We have not received any bills or contact from the energy company in this 2-year period until about 2 months ago when we were asked to send in our metre reading. We did so and it seems they have just (this week) realized that we have "fallen through the cracks" so to speak. We haven't existed on their system until we sent in our metre reading. So basically, we've been getting "free" electricity and gas for 2 years.
They are now in the process of creating a new contract for us but I fear that they will demand payment for the last 2 years of electricity and gas. Some friends mentioned that there may be some laws regarding the length of time between bills. For example, if you have not received a bill or statement within the last 6-12 months then you are not liable to pay that bill?

Is that right? Does anyone have some more information about what we can do? It seems it's just as much (or more) their negligence as much as it was ours.

Utility expenses are not usually included in apartment fees. Your contract for the apartment should specifically list which bills are covered (usually common area maintenance) and which are not (usually ones totally within the tenant's control, like electricity and gas.)

The normal procedure is for the new tenant to arrange connection and payment of utilities. So look at your contract. If it doesn't specifically include these bills then you will have to pay for the energy and gas you received. The utility companies will spread the payments over two years if you ask them and add the payments to your monthly bill.

Christian Barth, Esq.
www.expatlaw.nl

Too bad you bought the place, otherwise you could have just done a runner.

Your husband is Dutch?