Tenants done a runner

Lavendyr

If the landlord is not the one whose name is on the bills, he cannot be chased. Debt collectors are pretty notorious for poor behaviour. I'd suggest you have a look over on the "Debt-Free Wannabe" forums where there are lots of threads about how to deal with debt collectors. If your friend shows them he knows his rights and they are barking up the wrong tree, they should soon back off - they know they have no right to chase him if it is not his debt. Good luck

BASFORDLAD

can i suggest 2 things. Get the name of the debt collector to make sure its not just the in house team of the energy
2. use this template:

Your name address & Date.

Dear Sir/Madam

Account / ref no.

You have contacted me/us regarding the account with the above reference number, which you claim is owed by myself/ourselves.

I/we would point out that I/we have no knowledge of any such debt being owed to (insert company name).

I am/we are familiar with the Office of Fair Trading Debt Collection Guidance which states that it unfair to send demands for payment to an individual when it is uncertain that they are the debtor in question.

I/we would also point out that the OFT say under the Guidance that it is unfair to pursue third parties for payment when they are not liable. In not ceasing collection activity whilst investigating a reasonably queried or disputed debt you are using deceptive/and or unfair methods.

Furthermore ignoring and/or disregarding claims that debts have been settled or are disputed and continuing to make unjustified demands for payment amounts to physical/psychological harassment.

I/we would ask that no further contact be made concerning the above account unless you can provide evidence as to my/our liability for the debt in question.

I/we await your written confirmation that this matter is now closed. Otherwise I will have no option but to make a complaint to the trading standards department and consider informing the OFT of your actions.

I/we look forward to your reply within 14 days.

Yours faithfully


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That will shut them up for you:)

aliEnRIK

Thank you to everyone for your advice

I'll keep you posted whenever I hear of anything

tbs624

Useful post from basfordlad - just to give credit for its original source at https://www.nationaldebtline.co.uk.:smiley:

BASFORDLAD

Oh sorry, i should have!, but that wast the source!
it was : http://www.debthelpuk.co.uk/cgi-bin/forum/YaBB.pl

Loretta

This is extremely common with gas and electricity companies. If the tenant changed their supplier it is almost impossibe for the L/L to find out who the supplier is.

You can be chased for this debt, they don't care who pays is and will latch on to any name they can get hold of, you shouldn't, of course , be chased for a debt which is not yours and it really is an awful experience, they phone constantly, put notes in the door threatening all sorts. This can go on for months and can be quite wearing and unbearable.

I think this whole debt collecting business should be sorted out once and for all. All this consant phoning, letter writing, threatening and debt collectors letters in the door with outrageous fees etc If they think you owe the money they should issue a summons in the proper way and take you to court. Once in court they would have to prove that the debt was yours, the onus would be in them to prove this not on you to prove the debt isn't yours. After a few instances of these summonses being dismissed and hopefully a telling off from teh judge, or at least Trading Standards doing their job properly this appalling behaviour would stop. If they really believed that you owed the money they would take you to court, if they really don't care who pays the bill as long as they get their money they behave like this and get away with it. They are nasty bullies and they are getting away with it

You really have had to have this happen to you before you realise how really awful it can be