Pre-payment Electricity!

Darklymoon

Hello All!

I recently moved into my flat (privately renting) and found out after i'd signed the agreements that the previous tenant had left about £470 debt on the electricity account. Due to this EON have changed the meter to a pre-payment meter.
My landlord told me when i first moved in to keep my receipts and he will refund me the money i've paid, since currently i'm paying stupidly high rates to pay of the debt as well as my electricity.

This was early June. Now in August, i'm paying about £75 a month on electricity, despite living on my own in a 1 bed flat, I rarely if ever use my dishwasher and i have a very understanding mother who lets me do my washing at hers when i visit!

I have repeatedly asked my landlord when he will be sorting it out, but generally get fobbed off with vague answers or him telling me he is trying to recuperate the costs from the previous tenant.

Is it really legal for him to be making me pay off this other guys debt? I'm a bit of a soft touch and don't really want to have a confrontation with my landlord, but he has stopped answering his phone when i try and call him and if i see him, he just fobs me off.

Please help??

gazjoneswales

Darklymoon wrote: »

Hello All!

I recently moved into my flat (privately renting) and found out after i'd signed the agreements that the previous tenant had left about £470 debt on the electricity account. Due to this EON have changed the meter to a pre-payment meter.
My landlord told me when i first moved in to keep my receipts and he will refund me the money i've paid, since currently i'm paying stupidly high rates to pay of the debt as well as my electricity.

This was early June. Now in August, i'm paying about £75 a month on electricity, despite living on my own in a 1 bed flat, I rarely if ever use my dishwasher and i have a very understanding mother who lets me do my washing at hers when i visit!

I have repeatedly asked my landlord when he will be sorting it out, but generally get fobbed off with vague answers or him telling me he is trying to recuperate the costs from the previous tenant.

Is it really legal for him to be making me pay off this other guys debt? I'm a bit of a soft touch and don't really want to have a confrontation with my landlord, but he has stopped answering his phone when i try and call him and if i see him, he just fobs me off.

Please help??

You should have contacted your supplier when you moved in telling them you were now responsible for the bills. (do this asap)

you will then be sent a new payment key and you will only be charged for what you use.

The previous tennants debt is not your issue, or that of the landlord. It is between the previous occupier and the supplier

Darklymoon

I did contact them, they refused to speak to be as its all in my landlords name!

But thanks for the advice, and i'll try and contact them and explain whats gone on asap

gazjoneswales

Darklymoon wrote: »

I did contact them, they refused to speak to be as its all in my landlords name!

But thanks for the advice, and i'll try and contact them and explain whats gone on asap

you will not need to discuss the landlords account as you will be opening your own

Darklymoon

Called them, got an incredibly helpful girl, if i send them my tenancy agreement they will clear the account and reimburse the debt i've paid to date!!

Result! Thank you!

gazjoneswales

Glad to hear it! Well done