Vacant property - charges

just_so_2

Hi

I am in a scottish trust deed (IVA), I own a property in which my trustees have an interest. Unfortunately due to the breakdown of my marraige my wife and I both left the property (I had sole ownership). My trustees took control of the property, took the keys and changed the locks. I now have no means of access. My IP (Insolvency practitioner) is now selling the property, and has been since October. The is no interest of yet and it might be a long wait. I am currently expected to pay an unjust council tax on the property and to make matters worse my electric/gas company scottish power have continued to supply the property from the day I left. I kept scottish power well informed, told them I no longer had an interest in the property and asked for my services to be supplied to my new address (good customer). I told them the situation and they sent me a final gas & electric bill in which I recieved a credit.

A month or so ago, by chance, I recieved some redirected mail and addressed to the new householder of the property was a bill. I telephoned Scottish Power, explained the situation, and now they are wanting the money for 7 months since I left. They have deemed it appropriate to continue to supply services to the property without my knowledge. They have opened new accounts to the householder on a standard tarriff, and its this that they are now billing me for.

At no point did they ever indicate this to me despite me speaking to them in detail about switching my account to my new appartment, and informing them of the situation regarding my trustees. At no point did they indicate that my final bill wasnt final.

This flat may take some time to sell in this economic climate and I cannot afford 2 electric/gas bills when in a Scottish trust Deed, let alone arrears.

How can I stop them supplying ?

I want these services stopped now, and I dont see why I should pay the sneaky provision of unwanted services. I am currently paying an unjust council tax :mad: on the property with full sewerage & water charges, and I am unable to get out of that. Oh to be a politician.

I feel I am being punished in trying to be honest and upfront with these people. I have tried to deal with my debt in an honest law abiding way, and in return get no help whatsoever. I've got another 18 months of my trust deed and I am struggling although ironically my IP (insolvency practitioner, KPMG) has been great, and very understanding, much more so than service providers, and dont even start me on BT:mad:!

Any help would be appreciated.

peachyprice

The 'new householder' is your IP, they have officially taken over the property, changed the locks etc., therefore all asscociated bills should be addressed to them.

Have you given the utiltity companies details of your IP?

Vestra

peachyprice wrote: »

The 'new householder' is your IP, they have officially taken over the property, changed the locks etc., therefore all asscociated bills should be addressed to them.

Have you given the utiltity companies details of your IP?

They won't take over responsibility of utility bills and other rates. OP unfortunately you are liable for the usage at this property as they are still supplying a service. I would advice getting it changed to a no service charge tariff and making sure the gas and electric is switched off.

just_so_2

Vestra wrote: »

They won't take over responsibility of utility bills and other rates. OP unfortunately you are liable for the usage at this property as they are still supplying a service. I would advice getting it changed to a no service charge tariff and making sure the gas and electric is switched off.

Thanks for the replies. My IP have been great with my move and they had advised me about me being liable for electric / gas /council tax. I suppose when I told scot power I wanted a 'final bill' I was being naive and didnt realise that they would continue supplying. I am willing to take the hit but I didnt realise that there is a no service charge tariff. I switched it all off before I left.

many thanks. :T