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How should I play this situation re previous tenant not paying any bills
I've recently moved into a new flat and tried to use British Gas' home movers service to bring my gas and electricity with me (I have no loyalty to BG, just thought it would be the easiest thing to do to begin with and assumed the previous tenant was with them).
British Gas have said they can't find my flat, or something, and that I should call an 0845 number to get an MPAN number. I don't have a landline and can't afford to dial an 0845 number from my mobile so I can't do what they are requesting.
Meanwhile the gas and electricity has still been on and after a week or so I decided I would open a couple of letters that had the name of the landlord (a letting agent) on them, but were addressed to my flat and quite obviously bills of some kind. I thought this may shed some light and the situation, and it did...
...neither the gas nor the electric bills (which are not provided by British Gas) have been paid in months. The current bills are for hundreds of pounds. One of the letters dates back to June and they were threatening to cut the supply off but as yet thankfully they have not.
What I want is to be able to start my bills from a clean slate from the date I moved in. I don't mind staying with the current company as I believe they have decent enough rates.
What I'm afraid of is giving my name in connection with any of these huge bills. I'm worried about the fact that the electricity company doesn't have the previous tenants name and instead only has the name of the lettings agent. I do not trust the lettings agent at all and know that they will not help unless it suits them, which in this case it probably won't because it may leave them with the bill. I'm also concerned about how to tackle this initially given that the only way I know which company was involved is by opening mail with someone elses name on it.
If anyone could advise me on what I can do about this then it would be greatly appreciated.
British Gas have said they can't find my flat, or something, and that I should call an 0845 number to get an MPAN number. I don't have a landline and can't afford to dial an 0845 number from my mobile so I can't do what they are requesting.
Meanwhile the gas and electricity has still been on and after a week or so I decided I would open a couple of letters that had the name of the landlord (a letting agent) on them, but were addressed to my flat and quite obviously bills of some kind. I thought this may shed some light and the situation, and it did...
...neither the gas nor the electric bills (which are not provided by British Gas) have been paid in months. The current bills are for hundreds of pounds. One of the letters dates back to June and they were threatening to cut the supply off but as yet thankfully they have not.
What I want is to be able to start my bills from a clean slate from the date I moved in. I don't mind staying with the current company as I believe they have decent enough rates.
What I'm afraid of is giving my name in connection with any of these huge bills. I'm worried about the fact that the electricity company doesn't have the previous tenants name and instead only has the name of the lettings agent. I do not trust the lettings agent at all and know that they will not help unless it suits them, which in this case it probably won't because it may leave them with the bill. I'm also concerned about how to tackle this initially given that the only way I know which company was involved is by opening mail with someone elses name on it.
If anyone could advise me on what I can do about this then it would be greatly appreciated.
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OP has crossposted to https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/3525765. All the action on the other thread.Hi, we’ve had to remove your signature. If you’re not sure why please read the forum rules or email the forum team if you’re still unsure - MSE ForumTeam0
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