Unsavoury visit from EDF Energy.

Dr_Robert

This is a complicated situation, however I believe we have been badly mistreated by EDF energy.
We have just moved into our house two weeks ago, the complicated factors are that the vendor sadly died during the process, and the property was unoccupied for over two years, the result being that we now occupy the property under license and will do so until the probate is resolved.

This morning while I was at work I received a call from my wife in a distressed state, she had just had a visit from EDF energy. She was not at home at the moment they arrived but was called back by the engineer from further up the road as he had obviously seen her leave the property.

He first confirmed that she was the occupier and then asked if she was the person who used to live at the property. The answer being negative is when it started to get ugly. First she was asked if she could prove her identity, which is fair enough. Then he informed her that it was a good job she had been seen otherwise he would have forced entry to change the meter and left us with a large bill.

He then asked if one of his two colleagues who were also present could read the meter, which she allowed. Next he called in to his office and after a few moments asked her if she would sit in his van to talk to the representative on the phone. Feeling intimidated she did. The woman then proceeded to tell her that a) we should have opened all letters left at the property (there is in excess of a hundred) b) we had no right to sign up with another power company, and c) we are liable for any bills that are addressed to "The occupier" during the unoccupied period. She also threw in some free legal advice about probate, I guess EDF employees are multi-skilled. She also informed us that EDF are still the suppliers of energy to the property and will be for the next 6-8 weeks and we can expect a bill from them soon.

As far as I am concerned, we met all our legal obligations. We informed our power company we were moving, recorded all the meter readings for both properties on the day, and informed the estate of the dead seller via the estate agent of the readings. Therefore I do not believe we have any liability for anything that was owed by the previous occupier. Is this as cut and dried as I think?

LeeSouthEast

I don't see how you can be responsible for any bills prior to moving in. This is the executor's problem.

I'm sure someone more knowledgeable will be along soon.

Cardew

Dr_Robert wrote: »

Therefore I do not believe we have any liability for anything that was owed by the previous occupier. Is this as cut and dried as I think?

You are liable for the gas and electricity used from the date you became the legal owners of the property. Obviously you are not responsible for any gas and electricity used before that date.

EDF are correct that they complied with the Gas and Electricity Acts in sending correspondence addressed to 'The Occupier' and you have a duty to open those letters and inform them you are the occupant.

Under those two Parliamentary Acts as soon as you use any gas or electricity you have entered a legally binding 'deemed contract' with the supplier(EDF in your case)

There was no point in informing your old power company of the meter readings in the new house as they do not supply the house. EDF are the supplier and you should have contacted them with the meter readings.

You can of course apply to switch to your old supplier, but the process takes several weeks and you have to pay EDF for any energy used for the period until the switch takes place.

So you haven't technically fulfilled your 'legal responsibilities' in that you should have contacted EDF not your old company. Also that you are indeed liable to pay EDF for the period you have owned the house.

mattwallisuk

When were you granted occupancy? From that date until the electricity arrangement is cancelled or transferred then you would be liable for EDF bills, you would not be liable for bills prior to that date.