Shared Energy Bill Problem

FrankDev

Hi,

I could really do with some advice but its a bit of a long story! Please bare with me!

I have just graduated from university and left my student house. The energy supplier for the house was Southern Energy. The account was in my name as the two people i shared with paid me what they owed into my account and i rang and paid the bill each time it came.

However the last bill i could only ring and pay my share as the other two house mates didn't have any money. I left the house on good faith that they would ring and add their names to the account and pay what they owed when they could. (I have known these people for quite a long time and saw them as good friends...its not like me to trust people like this!)

Turns out they haven't paid or even rang Southern energy to add their names to the account. I have tried numerous times to contact them and at first they answered and said they would sort it out. I stopped getting text messages from southern energy so assumed they had until this week when i have started receiving messages from Wescot Credit Services.

I can no longer get through to my house mates and im worried that i am going to be left with this bill.

The only information Southern Energy and Westcot Credit Services have is my name and mobile number (unless they store the details of my bank account each time i rang to pay a bill?) I now live in a different city so i don't think there is a way of them tracing me?

Should i ignor the messages? I have read other posts of people advising that Wescot scam people.

Should i try and call Wescot to give them the contact details of the other house mates? Although Im trying not to contact Wescot as i dont want to acknowledge the debt!

Any advice would be much appreciated!

Thanks!

RAS

Did you tell Southern that you were submitting a final reading and that you were moving out? And provide the names of the remaining tenants?

FrankDev

Thanks for your reply.

I gave them the names of the other tenants but they said they could only add them to the account if they rang themselves to confirm. I made sure they noted the names so they would know if they rang.

I took readings myself before i left, but didn't give them to southern energy as i wasn't the last to leave the house.

Thanks

RAS

In which case your liability will continue.

You need to write to Southern quoting the last reading and advising them that you moved out on that date. Give them the names and what contact details you can of the remnining tenants.

With respect to the time prior to your departure, unless you know where you can send letters for the "friends", you may be stuck.

Alternatively are they on facebook?

abby1234519

Does the tenancy aggreement have everyones names on? I was told by Npower that a tenancy agreement forwarded to the supplier could be enough

FrankDev

They are on facebook. I have tried to contact them on there but again...no reply.

I think the other tenants only stayed for a week or two after i left so the house will now be empty or occupied by new tenants.

I know its not the right way to handle this but i was thinking of just changing my mobile number. I cant think of a way i could be traced back to where i live now? Im guessing banks and mobile operators arn't allowed to give out my address under data protection.

FrankDev

My agreement was a joint contract with one of the tenants. The other was on a separate contract.

I have copies of both agreements though.

RAS

So have you even written to Southern and given them the fional reading/ Unless you do that, you could find yourself paying the new tenants leccie as well.

Do you have alterative addresses for the other tenants?

backinbusiness

Don't ignore this - you could well end up with a default on your credit file which would impact on YOUR finances for the next 6 years.

Tricky one though, good luck.

bib

FrankDev

I am trying to find alternative addresses for them now. I have not informed southern energy of the final readings as of yet, but i think they have visited the house since and probably removed the metres by now.

I can't write to them as i don't want them to have my new address to respond to. I will try calling them tomorrow with the readings.

What do you think my options are with this mess? Either way i cant afford to pay the money the other tenants ow.

RAS

You can use the old address for your letter to Southern, for heaven's sake.

if you can find the errant "friends" you can send a letter before action demanding the money and then take them to the small claims court. Whether you can then enforce the judgement is another matter.