Electricity company threatening to see Council tax records

Helloperson

I've got a problem with my electricity bill.

I am a landlady who has owned a flat for 2 years. I have recently moved into the flat myself.

I got a bill from EDF in my former tenants name. I phoned up to change the bill thinking it would be easy and simple . No!

The first time I phoned, I was told that I would need to send a tenancy agreement, (which shouldn't be a problem).

However when I called EDF for a second time (to let them know an agreement was on it's way), an advisor started to question me about the past 2 years and unpaid bills for this time. I explained that I had tenants in the property-one of whom had left a trail of bills. The advisor then started to get openly suspicious and stated that she would phone the Council Tax department to get my records, then phone my letting agency to find out what details I had given to then and then "discuss" this with her " manager". She told me to fax details (bank statements/council tax statements) to state where I was living for the past 2 years.:eek:

I was extremely shocked by this. I just wanted to change the billing details! I want to know whether they can get my council tax records and letting records?

I phoned EDF again and was told by yet another advisor that I would just need to send the tenancy agreement as originally stated.

I am extremely worried and want to know whether EDF can send me a bill for unpaid charges for the last 2 years (based on me telling them that I was the landlady on the phone). I want to know whether they can do this? And what I can do to fight this?

SwanJon

I'm fairly sure no council will give out details like that to a company without your permission, and no private company should either.
The tenancy agreement will be fine in the vast majority of cases ( so long as it doesn't say you pay the bills for the tenant).
Sound like someone got a bit overzealous - take the advice of the two agents who sound a little more sane.

Cardew

A council cannot give details of council tax records to a private organisation.

Do you share my council tax records with other organisations?The information you give us is used and held in accordance with the Local Government Finance Act 1992, and the principles of the Data Protection Act 1998.

We have a duty to protect public funds and we may use council tax data in cross system and cross council comparison checks to ensure our records are correct. The checks may include, but is not limited to, matching council tax data with electoral registration, and the residency records of other organisations.

We may also disclose relevant information to other council departments where it is necessary and lawful to do so. We may also share information with other bodies responsible for auditing or administering public funds.

It is obviously reasonable for EON to ask an owner for some sort of proof that they haven't been living in the flat and 'invented' a tenant!

spiro

Cardew is right. Customers are know to try and change the 'name' in order to avoid debts they have built up. One trick used to be for unmarried couple to try and change the account from one persons name to the other claiming they knew nothing about the 'old tenant'. What EDF are trying to do is prove what you have said that you lived elsewhere during the period.

brysiewysie

Cardew wrote: »

A council cannot give details of council tax records to a private organisation.



It is obviously reasonable for EON to ask an owner for some sort of proof that they haven't been living in the flat and 'invented' a tenant!

EDF not Eon.

I guess EDF could have a history of tennants at this address who haven't paid. They're right to investigate such cases further.

Helloperson

It's not the fact that they are investigating that's the problem. Investigate all you like EDF and Miss Marple call centre worker (who was actually ruse to the point of threateneing).

I just wanted to know whether the council could give the records? Some pof the replies seem contradictory.

If not, that's ok. I'm not too fussed as to whether posters think EDF's suspicions were justified.

Helloperson

>It's not the fact that they are investigating that's the problem. Investigate all you like EDF and Miss Marple call centre worker (who was actually ruse to the point of threateneing).

Sorry that should be "rude to the point of threatening"...damn fat fingers...

DGJsaver

Helloperson wrote: »

I'm not too fussed as to whether posters think EDF's suspicions were justified.

That isnt how i read it , you sound as rude as the EDF advisor..

brysiewysie

It also starts to sound more like they'd uncover something?

I thought Cardew had (again) given an excellent reply earlier?

Incisor

Cardew wrote: »

A council cannot give details of council tax records to a private organisation.

It is obviously reasonable for EON to ask an owner for some sort of proof that they haven't been living in the flat and 'invented' a tenant!

There is a limit to how aggressive EdF can be to someone who is a customer. It is quite out of order for EdF to threaten to investigate council tax records or demand proof that the OP was living elsewhere.

Ultimately, provided Helloperson told EdF of the change TO a tenant, all the OP has to do now is tell EdF of the meter reading on the date of the changeover and start from there. The tenancy agreement should be enough to make them go away unless they find evidence for themselves of a fabricated tenancy.

Helloperson

DGJsaver wrote: »

That isnt how i read it , you sound as rude as the EDF advisor..

OK OK calm down, calm down. Don't burst a blood vessel!

I had a really horrible woman threatening me with all sorts and then reading about how she was justified for lying to me, cos the big fat electricyt company was right to investigate was not very nice.

Still hurling personal insults at posters is so classy......