Manweb Chasing Me For Money Not Owed - Help

emouth

I would really appreciate some advice on this re my legal rights and also where I stand in practice.

About 6 years ago I lived in a shared house with four other people who I didn't know previously. We had some problems with the Manweb bill and I sorted it out.

When we next got a bill my name was on it. I phoned up Manweb and said I didn't want my name on the bill as it was a shared house and not my sole responsibility. They told me that when I moved out I could pay my fifth of the bill and my name would be taken off.

When I moved out I paid a fifth of the outstanding money and asked them to take my name off the bill. A few weeks later my name was still on the bill so I phoned them again and told them to take it off. I then went to work abroad for a while. I know I should have checked again but I was really busy and didn't get round to it.

I have just had a text from some credit company who said they are acting on behalf of Scottish power and would I phone them. They must have got my number from a website or something.

I fear that my name was never taken off the bill and they are now after me all these years later. I am very worried about CCJs etc. They don't have my new address or anything.

So, I want to know my legal rights - am I liable for the whole bill?

Also, can they register a CCJ against me if they don't have my address?

What should I do? Instinct tells me to try and get in touch with the old landlord and get some written evidence as to when I moved out but he might have moved on by now. What if I can't get in touch with him. Also, I am worried about opening a can of worms and don't want this agency to have my new address. I can't believe they are chasing me after all this time!!!

Realistically, can they do anything to me if they don't have an address and don't know this is my phone number? I mean, they don't know it's me do they? They must have got the number from some website or survey where I filled in my details. In any event, I would have thought they would have written off the debt by now.

Does anyone know anything about companies writing off debts?

I just feel I did the honest thing and paid my bit of the bill and don't deserve this stress.

Any advice please?

LinasPilibaitisisbatman

Radical I know

But phone and ask what they want.

emouth

I am pretty certain this is the reason as that was the only time I have ever dealt with them.

I am worried if I phone it will confirm they have found me and I will start getting harrassed by them. Mail to my new address, CCJs etc.

Worryingly, the contact only started since I filled in my details to earn some extra cash filling out surveys from details on this website... I can only assume my information has been sold on to various other organisations:(

Since the text I have had a message left on my phone too.

I just wanted some advise on where I stood.

KimYeovil

You are liable for the entire bill until the time you left. Unfortunately, anyone on the bill is severally and jointly responsible.

If you are in a shared house, you must MONTH BY MONTH read your meters, estimate the cost, take a contribution from everyone and pay towards the bill (and check the receipt). If you don't bother, each person is jointly responsible for everything. And the supplier will chase whoever is easiest.

I know it's not 'fair' to be left with the other four-fifths to pay, but that is the liability. It is the tenants' responsibility to behave sensibly. Suppliers should not and don't have to waste their time pursuing half a dozen different miscreants.