Just moved in - being sent bill for previous owner.

jem16

My son moved into his first home last Saturday. British Gas were the suppliers apparently.

On Monday he phoned British Gas and gave them his opening meter readings - paperwork should come through in about 10 days he was told. He was put onto standard tariff as he wasn't sure whether to stay or go at that point. He's going to stay till spring and then switch so asked to be put onto Websaver tariff - can't do this over the phone he was told. You need to wait until you have account details and then do it online. Is that correct?

He was visiting tonight and then told me that he has a bill for £141 from BG addressed to "the Occupier" which seemed strange. It was dated 20th November so obvioulsy 3 days before he phoned with opening readings. It stated that £141 was overdue and had to be paid within 14 days or some amount would be added on for admin.

Now previous owners moved out at end of August - it turned out that a bankruptcy order was involved. Someone obviously is liable for this bill and it's not my son!

I've told him to phone BG tomorrow and also his lawyer who should get in touch with the lawyers that dealt with the conveyancing.

Anything else he should do?

nic_santorini

luckily for him he has given them the opening readings and the lawyers/estate agents contact them for your son too. Ring them up and explain it is not his. British Gas have been very good to me and waived a £106 bill, the trick is just to be reasonable and don't get upset and angry on the phone.

The_Pedant

It's probably just a response to the new readings or some other gap in the readings which has triggered the bill to an unknown person.

If bankruptcy was involved then I'm surprised any outstanding amount wasn't attached to it.

Any idea if heating or anything was left ticking over, keeping the place warm?

Just call BG & inform them just moved in & have a bill for the previous occupier. They might be able to put a stop on the letters.

I would also be inclined to keep a printed copy of the 1st statement from BG, as a hard copy of initial readings and date.

jem16

The_Pedant wrote: »

It's probably just a response to the new readings or some other gap in the readings which has triggered the bill to an unknown person.

We wondered that but this letter was dated 20th and new readings weren't supplied till 23rd.

Technically it's not a bill in the true sense of the word. It's a letter saying that £141 is outstanding - no dates, no meter readings, nothing. It's not even addressed to previous owner - just to "the present occupier".

Any idea if heating or anything was left ticking over, keeping the place warm?

We requested entry to the house to check everything before missives were concluded - that was 10 days before entry date. At that time the heating had all been switched off at the fused spur. We made sure it was running but only for around 15/20 minutes. On signing the missives we requested that the heating be put on to keep the house warm. Their response to that was to have the whole sysytem drained, gas switched off and water switched off. I would have assumed meter readings would have been taken by whoever did that - that was around a week before entry.

Just call BG & inform them just moved in & have a bill for the previous occupier. They might be able to put a stop on the letters.

My son is going to get in touch with BG and his lawyer today.

I would also be inclined to keep a printed copy of the 1st statement from BG, as a hard copy of initial readings and date.

Certainly will - still to receive anything from them but it was only 5 days ago.

suered

I had exactly the same thing when I moved into my place - ended up sending them copy of paperwork proving date of purchase and all was well. Lady I spoke to said you should NEVER pay bill addressed to "Occupier" (which I had) - but then this was credited to my account.

HTH

jem16

suered wrote: »

I had exactly the same thing when I moved into my place - ended up sending them copy of paperwork proving date of purchase and all was well.

That's a good idea. I'll ask my son if he has the final paperwork from his solicitor yet.

Lady I spoke to said you should NEVER pay bill addressed to "Occupier" (which I had) - but then this was credited to my account.

My son's words were - I'm not paying that!

Glad you got it sorted.

dogshome

Hi jem16 - I don't think you need to reach out for a lawyer, and his costs, just yet. BG obviously have a debt problem with bankrupted customer, and it just a matter of confirming the date & meter readings of your sons occupancy, to get them to amend thier records.
However, this confirmation must be done in writing, with enclosures of copy paperwork confirming the date of his occupancy - With this letter on file, if BG continue to haress your son you can escalate the matter to a formal written COMPLAINT, which is the opening gambit to get the Ombudsman involved.
Best of Luck

jem16

dogshome wrote: »

Hi jem16 - I don't think you need to reach out for a lawyer, and his costs, just yet. BG obviously have a debt problem with bankrupted customer, and it just a matter of confirming the date & meter readings of your sons occupancy, to get them to amend thier records.

I didn't mean get the lawyer involved with BG. The final paperwork is still being completed for his house purchase. His solicitor has the details of the conveyancing solicitor for the vendors. I meant to ask his solicitor for their address and write back to BG telling them that he is the new owner and to address any further communication for this debt to them. He also needs the address for his council tax form.

However, this confirmation must be done in writing, with enclosures of copy paperwork confirming the date of his occupancy - With this letter on file, if BG continue to haress your son you can escalate the matter to a formal written COMPLAINT, which is the opening gambit to get the Ombudsman involved.
Best of Luck

My son phoned BG today and they have said that everything is fine. They said that they could send a bill showing who it is actually meant for. However as you suggest i will get my son to write to BG with copies of his house purchase paperwork and asking them to send no futher correspondance for the previous owners to him but to forward it to their solicitors instead.