Legal Question in Consumer Law in Virginia

Re: Responsibility of Gas Bill

My guess is that ultimate responsibility will fall to you, however I would imagine, that given the circumstances the gas company should be able to make a deal. Your argument is akin to not setting up a phone account but still receiving services. You were receiving the services and knew that it wasn't free...

Re: Responsibility of Gas Bill

Yeah, the condo and the previous owner may have

treated you badly, and you may have some complaint against them. In fact, we don't know at this point whether or not the condo association might not BE responsible to pay the gas bill. I don't know and you should not assume that.

However, the gas company is entitled to get paid by someone. Even if you do not have a contract, there is a loose but important concept in the law called "unjust enrichment" or "quasi-contract." That means that if you actually consumed the natural gas, they are entitled to get paid for it at its fair market value (which might be more or less than the contract price had there been a contract).

The problem is with whether the condo assn mislead you, not with the gas company. So you might be able to bring up a complaint witht hem.