£700 bill 2 years later

vicshippers

When my partner left his previous address he settled up with the friend he lived with so nothing should have been left owing.

We have recently had a call from a debt collection firm advising that the £700 debt has been passed to them. Needless to say we have happily supplied the address details for the 'friend' that didn't pay the bill but in the mean time we are liable for 1/2...

Problem is - the debt collection agency is demanding an immediate payment of at least some of it, while I am refusing to pay until I have some paperwork that confirms the details (and exactly who this guy is). He says if we don't pay today then he'll issue a summons....

What should we do?

freesha

vicshippers wrote: »

...in the mean time we are liable for 1/2...

Actually, sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but your partner and the other guy are both liable for all the debt.In other words, if you just pay half, the debt collection agency will not able to agree that you have paid your part - they can, and probably will, still chase you (and the other guy) for the remainder.Google 'jointly and severally liable' for more info.

Cardew

What name was on the account? (A)Your friend, (B)You (C)both of you?

If B or C they can and wil pursue you for all the debt(or as much as they can get) If A then they won't be able to get a court order against you.

vicshippers

Sorry - maybe I haven't been clear with the question.

I was wondering whether we should pay immediately as demanded - or is it reasonable to request the paperwork first? He is just a voice at the end of the phone...

Gothicfairy

The answer to the questions above would show what needs to be done.

If the account was in your partners name and he did not pay the money direct then he does need to pay it as the debt is his.
If the account was in joint names then they will chase whoever they get first ( guessing from your post it is your partner) in which case they will not bother to go to the other named person as it becomes a 3rd party dispute with who owes what amount.

If the account was never in his name then it aint his problem

There is no signed contract with the water companies so ALL they have to provide is a correct bill. If the dates on the bill are correct and no payments were made to that account then the debt is payable by someone.

However I would ask for a copy of the bill and take it from there

vicshippers

It was in joint names - should we give them our new address for them to send the paperwork? They don't have our current address and have said that they have sent paperwork to the old address.