Ex left large gas and electric debt

wild666

I intend to move into a property that my ex wife lived in but there is, as far as I am aware very large debts on both the gas and electric. Would I be correct in assuming that I can have the prepayment meters taken out and transfer to my present supplier and continue to pay by direct debit without them chasing me for the debt?
The reason I ask is because I believe the power companies will see the same surname and try and do everything they can to keep the pre-payment meters in place. I have no idea who the suppliers of either the gas or electric are as the ex was never one for keeping records of anything, or she just ignored letters. The last I knew all the utility bills were in her name but I haven't set foot in the property for over 3 years.
The property is a council property and I was in the process of having my name removed from it has there seems to be a large amount of rent arrears as well, if I don't take it over my son and 2 dogs will be homeless, so just so they have a home I am going to take the property on in the hope that as it was adapted for a person in a wheelchair the council, who were holding back offering me a council home, because of the arrears, will offer me a smaller property when some of the arrears are paid.
But under no circumstances do I want lumbering with what I can only assume will be massive debts for gas and electric

spiro

You will need to prove you lived elsewhere. Having you name on the council rent account will not help because the supplier may just view this as an issue between you and your ex wife. How long ago did you move out and have you been living somewhere that is in your name?

wild666

I walked out in 2007 & after a few days went to my daughters but then ended up at my mothers after the daughter was constantly being questioned about me. I told the estate manager I wanted my name off the property in November 2007 after she called me, I was told I couldn't have my name removed, I thought the solicitor handling the divorce was going to sort it but it turned out they didn't. This came to light when after an operation I needed to move closer to my family who are looking after me. In 2008 I rented my own place away from all the family and have lived here ever since, this was the only place I could get being on benefits.
Maybe that she called the police when I left and they had me as missing for a few days before I turned up at my daughters will count but I wouldn't put it past them to want the money any way they can get it.

macman

So you have a tenancy agreement with your name on it dating from 2008 to the present then?

wild666

macman wrote: »

So you have a tenancy agreement with your name on it dating from 2008 to the present then?

yes I have the tenancy agreement dating from 2008 but also somewhere there will be letters from the solicitor or DWP to either my daughters address or my mothers address going back to mid October 2007