Advice on my rights please

Hybridkettnergirl

Hi there,

Up until recently I lived with my friend who used to live in the same house with her daughter.

The gas bill was in her daughter's name and we never bothered to get it changed but all the payments for the last two years came out of my bank account.

The deal we had when living together was that I would pay ALL the bills (came to around £450) and she would pay the rent, which came to the same amount each month. Over the months the bills crept up and I ended up paying more (around £500) while she was still paying the same rent. She was struggling for cash and being her friend I didn't bring it up because I earned more money than her, and I could afford it.

Now we have moved, and on closing the gas account and providing them with the final reading it turns out that I am owed around £350 from them.

They have subsequently issued a cheque for the refund, but it's in my housemate's daughter's name. They refuse to change the name despite all the payments coming out of my bank account and therefore I can't cash the cheque and get my money back.

I have also asked if they can just refund the money back into the original bank account (my account) from whence it came but it's not in their policy apparently.

Now I know you think "send the cheque to your friend, get her daughter to cash it and give you the money" but the problem is - we had the same thing happen with the electricity bill (which was in my friend's name), and we were issued with a cheque for £150, which my friend promptly cashed, and gave me half.

Now, the loss of £75 I can handle, but when it comes to splitting £300 I am loathe to lose half of it, seeing as I feel that the money is rightfully mine and since the move I have increased bills and travel costs.

Can anyone therefore tell me if I have any rights to the refund in technical (not moral) terms, and whether I can quote some kind of legislation or speak to someone about how to get the money paid to me?

Thank you in advance

undaunted

I would doubt that you can stop the energy supplier from refunding the accouint holder I'm afraid but you could make a claim in the County Court to try & recover both the £350 & £75 from your friends daughter.

Personally whether you do or you don't decide to proceed with that I'd find yourself some new & proper friends!

Premier_2

The supplier will send any credit on the account to the account holder in the form of a cheque as per their policy.

Any dispute, if one exists, would be between you and your former housemate.

Ultimately, if she refuses your claim, your only option would be to pursue the matter in court ... but do you have enough evidence to prove you have a legitimate claim?