Problems connecting gas at new property (prev tenant debt problems)- N Power

CheeseCat

Hi,

I was wondering if someone might be able to advise me on the current situation in my new (LA) property.

Moved in a week ago and was told that the gas was disconnected due to the prev tenant moving out. I found out that the prev tenant had racked up all kinds of debt while here and got evicted. It seems that this may be why the meter was disconnected (not sure though)

Anyway, the LA has said that I just need to contact N Power to reconnect the prepayment meter and send a new card to top it up. On contacting N Power they have said that they did not know that the prev tenant had moved out and they do not want to believe that i am a different person as strangely enough the prev tenant has the same surname, therefore they refused to send a new card and reconnect until I proved I had just moved in by faxing the tenancy agreement.

I then faxed the agreement to then be told that because it does not have a 'moving in' date, only a 'agreement made on' date that they still cannot send a new card.

LA are being unhelpful and say they can only supply the tenancy agreement!

Any help or advice on what to do now is appreciated its very cold here without gas and boiling kettles for hot water is a nightmare!

Andy_WSM

CheeseCat wrote: »

LA are being unhelpful and say they can only supply the tenancy agreement!

You could try asking the letting agency to provide a letter stating that you are a new tenant and the date you moved in as without heat & hot water the property is not suitable for habitation. If the supplier are refusing to provide gas then the service is as good as "disconnected" which is the Letting Agents problem I'd have thought.

dogshome

Hi CheeseCat - It seems that your Letting Agents have a 'Manageing Agents' contract with the landlord, under which they collect the rent and see to repairs
Write to them pointing out that without a Gas supply you are being denied an important benifit of the property which you are paying rent for, and that you expect their full co-operation in rectifying the problem.by writing a letter to n'power stating that you are not the same person as the previous tenant - Have them give the letter to you, to send to n'power

So far as n'power are concerned, they are making no sense asking for proof of a 'Moving in' date - The date on which the lease was signed is the date you assumed responsibilty for the utility bills - A leasee could move in that day or three weeks later if they chose and there is no legal requirement to record this date

n'power have gone into 'wolverine' collection mode because of the earlier tenants debt, and to get them to think otherwise, you must write a letter headed Complaint enclosing whatever documents you have that prove you are not the previous tenant C/card bills? - Bank Statements? - Proof of previus address?
Because this letter is headed Complaint, it puts your problem onto an official track that n'power must respond to within time limits.

If the previous tenants debt situation was as bad as you say and you have the same surname, it's likely n'power will not be the only company you will have problems with -Keep a file of documents that prove you are who you say, so that you can fire off copies when a problem occurs .

CheeseCat

Thanks both for your replies they are very much appreciated

Sorry I think I have caused confusion, by LA I meant local authority housing - I did think the same as what you said dogshome - surely the date on the tenancy agreement stands as I couldn't have moved in any earlier than that date as the agreement wouldn't have been valid!

I like your idea about sending off proof of a previous address, I did not think of that. I am writing them a letter today so will be sure to include this, (proof of previous tenancy should help I would have thought?) surely if I can prove I lived somewhere else up until mid February they can't argue with that?

It's just really unfortunate about the surname - what are the chances?

Andy_WSM

CheeseCat wrote: »

It's just really unfortunate about the surname - what are the chances?

Are you a Mr/Mrs Smith?

MissMoneypenny

I think you might find it is the landlords responsibilty to ensure that services are connected to the property. Are there different rules for LHAs?

You could phone Shelter and ask them.
0808 800 4444
8am-8pm Monday-Friday
8am-5pm Saturday-Sunday
Calls are free from UK landlines.

http://england.shelter.org.uk/get_advice/how_we_can_help/housing_advice_helpline

mattcanary

As you are rentingf from a local authority, your gas supply may have been capped when the previous tenant was evicted? I am a local authority tenant (Norwich City Council). I had a prepayment meter when I took over the tenancy in Jan 2010 (got a quarterly meter now). Previous tenant was with NPower too.

NPower initially wanted proof that I had moved in too. I got a bit shirty with them, saying that it is standard practice for my local authority to cap gas supplies when a tenant moves out (it is, local authority told me this). I added that as the supply has been capped, obviously I am a new tenant! Initial person put me on hold and then came back to me, saying that they wouldn;t need the proof of my moving in on this occasion. Previous tennat owed NPower money so situation is similar to yours.

Furthermore, once NPower finally agree to come out to reset the gas meter, make sure they book a 4 hour appointment slot, because you have been messed around. They like to book 8am - 8pm appointments and then not turn up ! - this happened to me first time. I phoned them back first thing the next day, demanding a shorter timescale for the visit. I had to keep on saying I won;t accept this (an all day slot) before I finally got put through to a manager. He agreed, after more of my saying I won't accept an all-day slot, before he finally agreed to a 4 hour slot. Apparently, NPower have to pay their contractor extra money for booking a 4 hour slot instead of an all day slot - so don't like doing it. If you push them enough in my experience, they will reluctantly agree to it. The contracted firm (Accuread) came out as agreed and were very efficient.

You have my sympathies - NPower are a shambles, a disgrace and I strongly recommend changing to a different supplier. I transferred my supply to Ebico (use Southern;s billing system and call-centre) and strangely enough, they offered a 4 hour appointment slot without any quibbles - it is their standard procedure. They have some meaning of the phrase "customer service" - unlike NPower.

Good luck!