Moved house - old tenant debt

missbishi

Hi, moved into new rented house at the weekend and just received letter addressed to former occupant/the occupier - Scottish Power intend to disconnect the elec supply in 14 days over a 3K unpaid bill!!!

Is it just a case of me telling them I am the new tenant and sending in rental agreement or do you think they will need any other info? I don't know where the previous tenant has moved to so couldn't help them on that score. Won't be able to call SP til after 5pm tonight so was just trying to put my mind at ease beforehand. All advice welcome!

the_frugal_frog

This happened to me also, they asked me to fax my tenency agreement clearly showing date etc, and I think one other form of identity evidence, and they sorted it out.

vuvuzela

missbishi wrote: »

Hi, moved into new rented house at the weekend and just received letter addressed to former occupant/the occupier - Scottish Power intend to disconnect the elec supply in 14 days over a 3K unpaid bill!!!

Is it just a case of me telling them I am the new tenant and sending in rental agreement or do you think they will need any other info? I don't know where the previous tenant has moved to so couldn't help them on that score. Won't be able to call SP til after 5pm tonight so was just trying to put my mind at ease beforehand. All advice welcome!

Basically, yes. You'll need to prove to their satisfaction you aren't the old tenant but if you have a proper signed and dated tenancy agreement then you'll be fine. Call them as soon as possible though to get the process started.

undaunted

You need to inform them that you are the new occupier of course. Beyond that it isn't really your problem.

I suggest you also check where the meter is. If it's outside & accessible it's more of a problem but if it's inside and they do turn up on your doorstep just don't let them in (they would then have to apply for a warrant of entry which is unlikely to be granted as long as the Judge is satisfied the debtor has moved out & the matter has never been anything to do with you - you weren't for example previously living there with the "last occupier" were you?)

dogshome

Read the meters TODAY then immediately phone Scot Power to report yourself as the new tenant and give them the readings
With that amount of debt on the previous tenants account they will certainly require a copy of your tenancy contract to prove you are indeed a new tenant, but the longer you leave it the more problematic it will become

[Deleted User]

Your next challenge is to actually get to speak to a person at Scottish Power

macman

How did the previous tenant manage to clock up a £3K debt without a PPM being installed?

missbishi

Thanx for all your reassurance - will get the reads rung thru tonight! Macman, am gobsmacked myself at the 3k arrears, judging by the leaflets left at the property, the old tenant had dsome sort of mental health probs....Thx again and will report back : )

macman

You need to supply readings and register yourself for the account. You are in a deemed account with SP and you can't switch away until you have first registered.

bengasman

vuvuzela wrote: »

You'll need to prove to their satisfaction you aren't the old tenant

Nonsense. We are still under a legal system that is based on the Magna Charta, which means that you don't have to prove you are innocent, but they have to prove you owe them money.
As such, all you need to stop them from cutting you off, is some sort of confirmation that you informed them of the change of occupier.
Don't let them bully you, and DON'T CALL them; write a letter or email.

Scottish_Power

Hi missbishi,

As I am sure you can imagine this sort of thing is fairly common.

If you want to drop me an e-mail, with a copy of your tennancy agreement (or similar) if you can to [EMAIL="onlinecomplaints@scottishpower.com"]onlinecomplaints@scottishpower.com[/EMAIL] I will sort it out for you.

Kind regards

Graeme @ ScottishPower