Debt collectors letter for property I sold!!

ManicMum

Hello

I have just received a letter from debt collectors for the utility supply for a property I sold last year. My tenant moved out on 5th May and this letter is for period 12th May til 28th July. House sold on 21st May. I hadn't thought about it until now but guess I am liable for a few quid from 6th til 20th May though house was empty so not sure what costs would have been incurred.

I don't know why I am being chased for this when obviously the bulk of this debt is the new owners. I don't want to call the debt collectors as they may have a system that shows the number I am calling from. Then they will be hassling me day and night. Should I call the utility company?

Pls advise.

thansk

Cardew

How would the Utility company know who was liable for the bill unless you informed them(preferably in writing) you were no longer liable for bills from the 21st May; or the new owner did the same.

Certainly avoid contacting the DCA; who wouldn't be interested in sorting it out anyway. It is also pertinent to point out that the new owner, who presumably has been billed from 28 July, will get back-billed for the period 21 May to 28 July - and he might object.

You should write to the Utility company and enclose a copy of some document that shows you sold the house on 21 May.

Also check your credit record after this is sorted.

spiro

Why didn't you tell the supplier back in May? When your tenant moved out that account should have been closed (final bill issued) and a new account set up in your name until you sold.

ManicMum

I didn#t inform them because I just forgot about it (human!) and guess subconciously didn't think it was an issue. The house was empty and everything turned off for the 2 week period so supposed I assumed new owner would take meter reading and take over account. I am easily contactable so if there were any queries they (new owners) cd have contacted me. They used the gas and elec for over 2 months so there is no way I am paying for it. Will be sending my confirmation of sale to Eon.

Also hoping my credit ratng not affected. I have perfect credit rating, never missed anything my whole life. Eon never even contacted me - just sent it to debt collectors. You think they would contact me first.

cheers

Cardew

ManicMum wrote: »

Eon never even contacted me - just sent it to debt collectors. You think they would contact me first.

cheers

Unless I have misunderstood, how would EON have any idea:

1. You used to be the owner of the property?

2. That you had sold the property?

3 Your new address?

The reason they send it to a DCA is that they don't know who is responsible and/or their address.

As I see the situation. The old tenant paid the bill up to the date he left on 05 May(hopefully!).

You forgot to tell EON you were responsible for bills from 05 May to 21 May; and also didn't tell them you had sold the house.

New owner presumably didn't give meter reading to EON when he moved in and started paying bills from meter reading on 28th July.

It is now what is termed a 'third party dispute'. Whilst there is little doubt most of the 12 May to 28th July bill is morally the responsibility of the new owner, proving it is another matter.

Normally a Utility company will not try to send the new owner an estimated bill for that period.

The best you can hope for is they will write off the outstanding amount as a goodwill gesture.

spiro

Cardew wrote: »

3 Your new address?

Agree, thats why they hand it over to a DCA whose area of expertise is to track down debtors.

E.ON_Company_Representative:_Helena

Hi ManicMum,

You have already received some good information.

I would contact E.ON as the DCA won't have any details of the account, just the debt to collect.

As you have sold the house you will obviously have proof of this, so you can provide this to E.ON who will be able to close the account down to that date for you.

But, from your post I don't think you have taken any meter readings from the date of the house sale, so the account will have to be closed to an estimated reading.

We do rely on customers advising us that they have moved in and out of properties, as we have no other way of knowing, we do also request they take the readings when moving in and out as this ensures the customer only pays for the energy that they have used.

If you need any more info, just let me know.

Helena