Spark Energy gas bill showing 'Warrant £320' plus debt from past tenant..

geordie_ben

My friend has been sent a gas bill from 30/01/2010 - 30/09/2011

They only moved in in May this year

On the bill it shows a line as "Warrant £320"

Any idea what the 'warrant' part is? Or how we can get this bill sorted so it only bills them for what they've used since they moved in?

A meter reading was taken when they first moved in.

the whole bill is £705.65

UncleZen

Well, my first stop would be to speak to the service provider rather than posting here.

geordie_ben

UncleZen wrote: »

Well, my first stop would be to speak to the service provider rather than posting here.

I like to be armed with info first

macman

Did your friend actually set up an account with them in May and receive the paperwork? That bill indicates not and that a warrant has been applied for to fit a PPM, as the utility co. is not aware of the previous tenant departing. Therefore the debt has rolled on.
If they registered in May, a bill should have been received within 3 months-was it?

geordie_ben

macman wrote: »

Did your friend actually set up an account with them in May and receive the paperwork? That bill indicates not and that a warrant has been applied for to fit a PPM, as the utility co. is not aware of the previous tenant departing. Therefore the debt has rolled on.
If they registered in May, a bill should have been received within 3 months-was it?

This is the first letter they've received - tho, it was opended by accident as it's not addressed to them. Any earlier ones might have been returned with 'not at this address' on the envelope

They never set up the account, but tried to switch supplier, but it was unsuccesful

macman

That's their problem then-you cannot switch supplier until you have set up an account with the existing supplier, with whom you are in a deemed contract from day one. They'll need to prove their start of tenancy date to get it sorted now.
They must have known this if they never set up an account and have paid nothing since May.

TIMMY85

If they had called the current supplier on day 1 there would be no problem. Now a warrant has been applied for they will need to send a tenancy agreement proving a change of tenancy as a 'home move' is often used as a way of prolonging action by utility companies. Call the company, ask for a block to be put on the warrant while the proof is sent in (recorded post).
In future, if post is continually sent from a company to old occupiers, check it sooner!

Companymole

Hi

Exactly as above, your friend knew they werent paying bills and yet they were getting letters through from an energy company in someones else's name. Unfortunately your friend is going to have a hard time getting them believe of homemove has taken place i would suggest council tax bills get found as a proof of tenancy prob wont cut it i could get one of google right now and fill it in, you may find that they will still want to charge you friend for some of the warrant fees (£320 isnt profit for the company either if they have gone down this route this is the sort of money is costs if not more). your friend needs to ring the company asap to sort or they will be knocking on his door

chanz4

he will need to provide a tennancy, did he expect gas for free once the application was declined to move? As he failed to notify them and a warrant was needed he would be liable .

bengasman

geordie_ben wrote: »

This is the first letter they've received - tho, it was opended by accident as it's not addressed to them.

It may be me, but I really can't see the point of this thread; it is a letter opened by somebody else who wasn't even the addressee. Not even a social worker would spend time on that.

geordie_ben

All post under someone elses name was returned with 'not at this address' - since you're not meant to open post not addressed to you - this one was opened in error
Within the first week they attempted to switch to EDF
EDF have only just got back in touch saying they were unable to switch, even after sending a load of paper work through and also setting up online accounts etc
They have got quite a lot of evidence showing they only moved in, in May. Tenancy, council tax bills, sky accounts, water bills etc etc

I hate how a lot of people on this site as very quick to jump on the accusing foot. I'm I am here for advise, not to be judged.