Are you paying for the debt of others?

Colin3

Moving into a new flat or home, check with the Utilities you are not paying for the debt of others!

My daughter and her family recently moved in to a new home (London) which had key-meters installed. When the debt letters kept coming in for the previous occupants they got suspicious when they had problems changing to monthly billing.

They found out by accident they were paying a loading on utilities rate for gas and electric, which was not declared on the bill, but relates to previous debt, (with keys its hard to check what rates you are paying). The also discovered the address had many ‘Associates’ linked through Equifax and Experian, which tripped many credit agencies to reject any new application, even though their record was clean.

(I believe blacklisting an address is illegal, but seems to continue, so ask why you have been refused).

To avoid a surprise when moving, check the history of the address and correct any inaccuracies or ‘associates’, also check all utility companies as part of your search.

malifax_2

with the key meters you can scroll through the digital dispaly to find what you are paying ie BG customers in yorks are on 12.43 a kilo watt and a usual standing charge of 0.85p any more than this and you are either paying a debt that you know about as you will also have a debt display and its something you've agreed on. Or they are skanking you.

clutton_2

i suspect that they may not have got a brand new key-card when they moved in. For future reference - once you have moved into a new property with a key-card, take your tenancy agreeement to the nearest supplier of cards, and they will register a brand new card in your name, which means that the old debt is disassociated from you immediately.

honeypop

I just moved house in December to a property with pre-pay meters for gas and electricity (both by British Gas), it is very clear to see if any debt is on them as if you press the buttons on the meter it scrolls through a variety of screens with information on, one being debt owed at that time.

Also, when we called BG to inform them we had been moved in, they sent out new keys/cards for the meters and sent someone round to reset them so we would not be liable for the previous owners debts (if any). If you use old cards or keys for the meters they cannot guarantee the money you are paying is being attributed to your new account which creates problems as you can imagine.

I do not understand why the OP's daughter and family were not issued with new cards and had their meters reset as British Gas told me this was standard practice for new occupiers of properties, but I hope it has all been sorted out now - what a nightmare to contend with after moving in!

Also, I thought that credit files are only linked by financial affairs, not by address anymore.

thesaint

Hi honeypop,

You are right that credit files are supposed to be linked only by financial details only, but sometimes companies make mistakes. I recently looked at my report online, and it had the details of someone applying for a Orange mobile contract at my old address. It had details of his e.g name, d.o.b.

smarty_pants_5

How do i check the history of an address? We have recently moved, and i have never been in debt etc, but last night was refused credit that i now really need. I dont know why i have been refused, and in a block of flats i know the one next door was blacklisted.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

mrsc_4

When we moved in last month we discovered that the property had brought had pre pay gas and elec meters, we were none too impressed to say the least as both the EA and Sol never mentioned it when asked!

British Gas came in straight away and decomissioned the meters and we had a new card and key within days (still running down the old key but hey ho) we have now changed supplier and once that has completed we are having the meters removed as we don't like them at all plus the gas and elec is 15% more expensive though them!