House move - previous supplier opened up accounts

Tiggers

Hi

My father in law has just moved from a 3 bed house into a flat. Called distributor lines to find out who the supplier for new flat was. Was told it is Scottish Power, phoned and opened up accounts for him. Then he started to get letters from British Gas stating that accounts for the new occupier had been opened up for the flat. Statements of account for period of time prior to his moving in. Called distributor line again to double check, was told Scottish Power supply flat and that BG WAS until 13 April, for the previous tenant. Sending letter today to BG, but want to know do they have any claim to supply the property? Told that account with SP opened 13 April, father in law took keys to flat on 27 April?

Any assistance would be grateful if anyone else has had similar problem and have solved problem - little worried elderly man may be sent more bills, to confuse him.

Premier_2

If your FIL only became resposnible for the flat on 27 April, he shouldn't be responsible for any consumption before that date.

Hopefully your FIL supplied a meter reading to SP on 27 April. Presumably the bill from BG is not in your FIL's name, but rather that of the previous tenant?
Your FIL should either pass the previous tenants mail to a forwarding address provided or return the mail unopened marked "Gone away, no longer at this address"

Tiggers

Worrying thing is the bills are in the name of "occupier or occupiers" and not the previous tenant. Letters with the bills that are actually for zero, and are final statements are also in the same and not previous tenant. Letters state that BG have opened up accounts and even given new accoutn numbers.

Tiggers

Letters state welcome to your new home etc. Dated 3 May, well after the 13 April, so surely BG should be aware that previous tenant moved supply to SP? Final bills are date 31 March to 13 April and are for zero. Both have the new account number on and are not for previous tenant. Again the bills are dated 3 May.

Tiggers

Sorry, yes meter reading were given when he moved in.

Premier_2

Tiggers wrote: »

Worrying thing is the bills are in the name of "occupier or occupiers" and not the previous tenant. Letters with the bills that are actually for zero, and are final statements are also in the same and not previous tenant. Letters state that BG have opened up accounts and even given new accoutn numbers.

Nothing to worry about. Your FIL was not the occupier prior to April 27th.

They send them simply because they don't know the name of who was responsible at the time, and the supply address therefore seems a sensible place to send the bill. (If they don't produce and send a bill, they jeopardise their chance of recovering the money from the person who owes it after 12 months)