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Existing meter and outstanding debt ?
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Hi all,
I’ve just moved into a new place where an electricity meter is fitted. I’ve discovered there is an outstanding debt on the meter which is regularly withdrawing money from the meter. The company says they wouldn’t allow me to install a normal meter until the existing debt is paid off, even though I’ve just moved in and would like to open an account in my name.
I don’t have an existing account to transfer as the electricity wasn’t under my name in my previous place.
Any advice on the course of action to take to have a new account in my name (with no prepayment meter, as they charge much more!), and avoid having to slowly repay a debt that’s not mine?
Thanks in advance
MR
I’ve just moved into a new place where an electricity meter is fitted. I’ve discovered there is an outstanding debt on the meter which is regularly withdrawing money from the meter. The company says they wouldn’t allow me to install a normal meter until the existing debt is paid off, even though I’ve just moved in and would like to open an account in my name.
I don’t have an existing account to transfer as the electricity wasn’t under my name in my previous place.
Any advice on the course of action to take to have a new account in my name (with no prepayment meter, as they charge much more!), and avoid having to slowly repay a debt that’s not mine?
Thanks in advance
MR
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Comments
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Ok, I understand my situation must be really peculiar.
Can anyone suggest a good reference on my "electricity" rights, or the body to refer to to resolve disputes between customers andproviders?
Thanks in advance,
mr0 -
Do you own the property or is it rented?0
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As long as you can prove when you moved in and became liable, then you shouldn't have to pay as they will know by who and when the debt was accrued.
Try getting in touch with http://www.ofgem.gov.uk/ofgem/index.jsp, they're the regulators. They helped me out when I was without gas for three weeks (middle of winter with a new baby) when BG wouldn't replace a gas card.
I haven't had the exact problem, but I was sent a debt letters for £500 for the 18month we were renting a flat, even though we had a key meter. Even when they admitted it had been topped up and it was pretty obvious we must had gas during the 18month, they still tried.
My wifes aunt who worked for the company had an ask around and got it sorted, the silly gits had given us a card registered against another account. Eventually they used the card reference number to relocate all of the payments to my account and dropped the demands.I no longer work in Council Tax Recovery but instead work as a specialist Council Tax paralegal assisting landlords and Council Tax payers with council tax disputes and valuation tribunals. My views are my own reading of the law and you should always check with the local authority in question.0 -
This happened to my son a couple of years ago and when they explained to the electricity supplier, they not only agreed to put a meter in but refunded the money the meter had taken against the debt from the previous tenant.0
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mr1974 wrote:I rent it, with a regular tenanacy agreement. Does that change anything?
Only in the sense that most agreements with a letting agency forbid you from changing supplier etc without their permission. Equally, they normally don't pass the deposit to previous tenant until all debts are cleared.
In this case, you need to get higher up the customer-helpline chain and inform them of the change of tenancy. Whose your supplier?0 -
irnbru wrote:Only in the sense that most agreements with a letting agency forbid you from changing supplier etc without their permission. Equally, they normally don't pass the deposit to previous tenant until all debts are cleared.
In this case, you need to get higher up customer-helpline chain and inform them of the the change of tenancy. Whose your supplier?
The estate agent made a huge mistake with the previous tenants of the flat my son rented. They paid back the whole deposit to the tenants but it then turned out that the council tax hadn't been paid, the electricity was in arrears, they were chasing for tv licence, water rates and the place needed redecorating. The landlord was not happy.0 -
There is no problem with that, the landlord has already authorized me to do everything needed.irnbru wrote:Only in the sense that most agreements with a letting agency forbid you from changing supplier etc without their permission. Equally, they normally don't pass the deposit to previous tenant until all debts are cleared.
The previous bill was in no-one's name (i.e. the occupier), but when they left without paying a meter was fitted.irnbru wrote:In this case, you need to get higher up the customer-helpline chain and inform them of the change of tenancy. Whose your supplier?
London Energy. I wanted to follow Martin's plan to get the cheper provided, but AFAIK I can't switch until the existing debt is repaid.
The meter is now charging £46 per week, AFAIK the oustanding debt is close to £1600?
The electricity costs 8.49 p/KW according to the meter.
MR0 -
Hi Mr1974,
You are not liable for someone else's debt. There are a couple of different points here:
You need to prove when you moved in - as CIS said, this will be on your tenancy agreement. Speak to a manager in London Electricity' customer service centre, get their name and mail a photocopy of your tenancy agreement to them personally. If you don't know what the leccy meter was reading when you moved in then an estimate will be used to shut down the previous occupier's account and open yours. Keep an eye on your current leccy usage to make sure you're happy with that estimated figure.
The debt that is loaded on to your meter needs to be wiped off as soon as your account is opened - usually your supplier will issue you with a new payment card that has been programmed to delete the debt for you.
By the way, you shouldn't need to bang your head against the wall too much with this type of enquiry - it will be very clear from the date on your tenancy agreement that you didn;t use the leccy previously and are therefore not responsible for the debt accrued.
As far as getting a normal meter (called a credit meter) goes, because you haven't previously had an account in your name with London Electricity, they might want to credit check you to ensure that you will pay the bills on time, but this is pretty much a standard procedure these days.
Cheers,
Gotnobread0
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