E.on Bill Not my but Defaulted Account. E.oN Wont Help!!!

seven7two2 · 16 May 2013 at 2:32PM

Ok so the Title is partly true, I was in a flat share two years ago. One of the guys there put their name on the bill and the other didn't seemed exessive three names on it and we all trsuted each other...HaHa,

End of tenancy one of the fella's left quickly, quietly taking his name off the Bill. and leaving it all on my plate. Now E.oN have been rubbish and not offered any help whatsoever!! But This bill Is not 100% mine and I will not pay the whole thing. I offered to pay half of it on my own and then they can take the debt elesewhere. This surely cannot be fair!

*Forgot to mention* I have spoken to E.on Directly on numerous occasions but they will not help and tell me to go off and sort something myself, even though they can clearly see that somebody else was living at the place and had their name on the bill.*

Can anybody advise what to do about this? I could really do with the help as I want to clear my Credit History for a Mortgage.

Thanks all

Cardew · 16 May 2013 at 2:47PM

No Utility company will ever get involved in a 'third party dispute'. Even if they found the other guy he could claim he gave you the money etc etc.

To them, there is as much chance of you lying as the other guy.

If the bill is not paid, it will be passed to a Debt Collection Agency(DCA) who will come after you for the whole amount + expenses.

I suggest all you can do is get the bill paid and then sue the other guy in the Small Claims court. He might think twice about lying on oath in court.

spiro · 16 May 2013 at 2:48PM

You have just learn about 'joint & severally liable', what that means if there are 4 names on the bill, you all go you own way and the supplier catches up with one of you that person has to pay 100% of the bill. That person getting the 75% from the other 3 people is a third party dispute been the tenants and NOTHING to do with the energy company.

It this case it is you that has been left holding the baby and will have to pay the complete bill. Sorry to bring you bad news but thats they way it is.

seven7two2 · 16 May 2013 at 3:12PM

SO what you are saying is there is no consumer protection over somebody shadily slipping out of this contract. Not even If I supply Address for the other parties?? AND I can prove that they lived there??

molerat · 16 May 2013 at 3:33PM

As mentioned above "joint and several liability" which means each of you are individually liable for the whole amount and whichever one of you they catch up with first will get stuffed. Issue proceedings against the other(s).

spiro · 16 May 2013 at 3:57PM

seven7two2 wrote: »

SO what you are saying is there is no consumer protection over somebody shadily slipping out of this contract. Not even If I supply Address for the other parties?? AND I can prove that they lived there??

Yes. You know the address, you sue them via small claims court.

seven7two2 · 16 May 2013 at 4:00PM

So they get to keep a clear Credit History and Mine gets punished?
Anyway, Asides from that, As that I was already informed of, It neither here nor there, What I would like advise on is, Can I offer them any terms to remove or do something positive to my credit file. If I offer half up front then other half next month. Would there be any suitable terms to get in writing to help myself?
Cheerse guys

amychristina_2 · 16 May 2013 at 4:39PM

Hi,
Similar problem with Eon. I am currently living in a shared house with other students. The bill was in one of the guys names and we paid him our share every month which was fine. However, he decided he wanted to move out through the year and rung up eon and changed the account into my name with me being responsible for bills without me knowing. I was unaware of this until an account came through the door.

I rung up eon because they surely cannot set up an account in someone's name without their consent? No?

The first person I spoke to could not comprehend what I was saying and he refused to send me to someone higher up. I then spoke to someone else who was vile and disgusting and made me feel physically victimised.
I then rang customer services and explained the circumstances and she said their policy was to take the persons word and change the accounts. I quote her response was "what would you like me to do with this complaint" and then went onto make it clear that they only listen and do not record or do anything about this.

Surely they cannot set up an account in my name without confirming with me? I personally feel this to be illegally and morally wrong.
If anyone could help with any advice it would be great

Thank you!

Former_E.ON_Company_Representative:_Malc · 16 May 2013 at 5:09PM

Hi seven7two2

Just to confirm what others have said, we won't become involved in a third party dispute.

I'm afraid, if your name is on the bill, we'll be looking to you for payment.

We would, though, be happy to look at a payment arrangement. What we could offer would depend on the age of the debt and whether or not it's gone to a Debt Collection Agency.

Sorry can't offer anything more positive.

Malc

Former_E.ON_Company_Representative:_Malc · 16 May 2013 at 6:28PM

amychristina wrote: »

Hi,
Similar problem with Eon. I am currently living in a shared house with other students. The bill was in one of the guys names and we paid him our share every month which was fine. However, he decided he wanted to move out through the year and rung up eon and changed the account into my name with me being responsible for bills without me knowing. I was unaware of this until an account came through the door.

I rung up eon because they surely cannot set up an account in someone's name without their consent? No?

The first person I spoke to could not comprehend what I was saying and he refused to send me to someone higher up. I then spoke to someone else who was vile and disgusting and made me feel physically victimised.
I then rang customer services and explained the circumstances and she said their policy was to take the persons word and change the accounts. I quote her response was "what would you like me to do with this complaint" and then went onto make it clear that they only listen and do not record or do anything about this.

Surely they cannot set up an account in my name without confirming with me? I personally feel this to be illegally and morally wrong.
If anyone could help with any advice it would be great
Thank you!

Hi amychristina

I'm sorry the advisors you spoke to were so unpleasant. This certainly isn't acceptable.

In cases where responsibility for energy usage changes, we need to be advised so the original account can be closed down and a final bill issued.

Following this, a new account needs to be opened for the person taking over responsibility for the ongoing energy usage.

In your situation, you need to let us know who is responsible for the energy being used at the property and from when. A Tenancy Agreement will help here. Details from your letting agent/landlord might also help.

We've a specialist House Moves team who deal exclusively with this type of transfer. These are the guys to talk to.

Hope this helps point you in the right direction.

Malc

Cardew · 16 May 2013 at 6:29PM

amychristina wrote: »

Hi,
Similar problem with Eon. I am currently living in a shared house with other students. The bill was in one of the guys names and we paid him our share every month which was fine. However, he decided he wanted to move out through the year and rung up eon and changed the account into my name with me being responsible for bills without me knowing. I was unaware of this until an account came through the door.

I rung up eon because they surely cannot set up an account in someone's name without their consent? No?

The first person I spoke to could not comprehend what I was saying and he refused to send me to someone higher up. I then spoke to someone else who was vile and disgusting and made me feel physically victimised.
I then rang customer services and explained the circumstances and she said their policy was to take the persons word and change the accounts. I quote her response was "what would you like me to do with this complaint" and then went onto make it clear that they only listen and do not record or do anything about this.

Surely they cannot set up an account in my name without confirming with me? I personally feel this to be illegally and morally wrong.
If anyone could help with any advice it would be great
Thank you!

Over the years we have had dozens of similar cases like yours - mainly in Student houses.

If you have used any of the energy in the house, you are 'jointly and severally liable' for all of the bill - as is anyone else in the house; you have entered a legally binding 'deemed contract'.

It doesn't really matter if it is your name is on the bill, or it is addressed to 'The Occupier' they can chase anyone for the whole amount. The reprehensible actions of the guy who moved out have simply given the Utility company a name of one of the occupants.

On the question of the Utility Company putting a name on an account after a telephone call; what else can the company do in this situation?

The name on millions of accounts are changed each year; the vast majority without a problem. If I ring up and give the company a name to be on the account, how does a company ascertain that is the correct information?

Would it be reasonable to expect that individual to obtain a legal affidavit?

E.on Bill Not my but Defaulted Account. E.oN Wont Help!!!

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