Debt Collecter - Where do I stand?

SJ32116

First off apologies if this is the wrong forum.

I live in a student house with 4 others, they all lived here last year and I joined this year so they're named on the bills and I'm not, I just give them a cash contribution when they ask for it.

They've ignored the energy bill over and over for some reason and we've got a debt collecter coming round tomorrow apparently and they want payment in full or they'll take stuff.

Where do I stand with my name not being on the bill? can they take my stuff or can I tell them to do one as they can't prove I owe them anything.

I'll stress this isn't me trying to get out of not paying it because I will pay it, I just can't raise the money in the under 24 hours notice my stupid housemates have given me.

RAS

Debt collectors have no powers and can take absolutely nothing.

Bailiffs can levy on goods and may later take goods if the bill is not paid, but the important thing is not to let them in the house and make sure there are no cars anywhere. That way they cannot levy on goods, so they are stuffed.

Unless they are high court enforcement bailiffs.

RAS

Oh and it is not your debt, so do not pay.

shopaholic2

Looks like there's a few issues here that need addressing. Firstly, do you have a tenancy agreement? Who do you pay rent to? Do you get a receipt/ rent book? Do you get a receipt when you give money for bills?
The bill is not in your name so you're not responsible for it. The debt collector cannot enter the house and cannot take any belonging.
As far as I know only a court appointed bailiff cn remove goods, and you would have had lots of other opportunities to pay this bill before it would get to that point!
IF the court appointed a bailiff, agin he wold not be able to take your stuff as you are not named on the bill.
You all need to agree to pay something towards this bill, even if the named person rings the utility company up and arranges a reduced payment scheme. It needs addressing, as does your situation, which looks, to me, like you're handing money over and you have no proof of having done so, and no protection from someone claiming you've paid nothing!

SJ32116

shopaholic2 wrote: »

Looks like there's a few issues here that need addressing. Firstly, do you have a tenancy agreement? Who do you pay rent to? Do you get a receipt/ rent book? Do you get a receipt when you give money for bills?
The bill is not in your name so you're not responsible for it. The debt collector cannot enter the house and cannot take any belonging.
As far as I know only a court appointed bailiff cn remove goods, and you would have had lots of other opportunities to pay this bill before it would get to that point!
IF the court appointed a bailiff, agin he wold not be able to take your stuff as you are not named on the bill.
You all need to agree to pay something towards this bill, even if the named person rings the utility company up and arranges a reduced payment scheme. It needs addressing, as does your situation, which looks, to me, like you're handing money over and you have no proof of having done so, and no protection from someone claiming you've paid nothing!

I have a tenancy agreement with a company who do student housing. We each pay them the rent in 3 installments over the year (all paid already) and then it's up to the households to sort out the bills between them. They took it on for a 2nd year and I joined this year so the bills were already set up in their names.

Unfortunately I don't get a receipt for me paying bills as they're pretty much mates with living with them all year and I guess I'm pretty naive about this sort of thing as Uni is my first time living away from home.

The debt collector coming tomorrow and taking stuff is just what I was told by one of the other housemates, I did presume the taking stuff was just scare mongering nonsense because although they've ignored the bill for a while there's been no court proceedings or anything.

I'm in a bit of a poor situation as you point out with not being able to prove I've hand over any money at all this year but I guess I have the card to play of saying if you want to go down that road then I can just bail out of paying any contribution towards this bill at all as I'm not named.

I made a mistake and it's actually the water not energy bill and this agency (I've only just seen the letter) is Alexander James. The e-mail address is @NWL which is Northumbrian Water so is this even a proper agency or is it just Northumbrian Water trying to scare you into paying up?

Thanks to both as well for your help!

HappyMJ

SJ32116 wrote: »

I have a tenancy agreement with a company who do student housing. We each pay them the rent in 3 installments over the year (all paid already) and then it's up to the households to sort out the bills between them. They took it on for a 2nd year and I joined this year so the bills were already set up in their names.

Unfortunately I don't get a receipt for me paying bills as they're pretty much mates with living with them all year and I guess I'm pretty naive about this sort of thing as Uni is my first time living away from home.

The debt collector coming tomorrow and taking stuff is just what I was told by one of the other housemates, I did presume the taking stuff was just scare mongering nonsense because although they've ignored the bill for a while there's been no court proceedings or anything.

I'm in a bit of a poor situation as you point out with not being able to prove I've hand over any money at all this year but I guess I have the card to play of saying if you want to go down that road then I can just bail out of paying any contribution towards this bill at all as I'm not named.

I made a mistake and it's actually the water not energy bill and this agency (I've only just seen the letter) is Alexander James. The e-mail address is @NWL which is Northumbrian Water so is this even a proper agency or is it just Northumbrian Water trying to scare you into paying up?

Thanks to both as well for your help!

Alexander James is an in house debt recovery firm owned by Northumbrian Water. They have no rights of entry. Simply do not answer the door.

shopaholic2

Right well now is the time to get this sorted... You're all at last chance saloon with this bill, you still have the chance to sort out a plan, but they probably won't talk to you as you're not named on the bill.
Get yourself a receipt book and each time you hand over money sign the book, get the recipient to sign the book, and each of you gets a copy.
I'd start stocking up on bottled water if I were you, as you are relying on the other person(s) to pay this or get cut off!

VitaK

You dont understand how important water is before it is cut off.

Call a house meeting and set up a repayment plan. Follow the advice already given on how to pay your housemates.

chanz4

They cant cut water as its a life essential, but I would sort now as they wont hessitate in taking you to court

SJ32116

shopaholic2 wrote: »

Right well now is the time to get this sorted... You're all at last chance saloon with this bill, you still have the chance to sort out a plan, but they probably won't talk to you as you're not named on the bill.
Get yourself a receipt book and each time you hand over money sign the book, get the recipient to sign the book, and each of you gets a copy.
I'd start stocking up on bottled water if I were you, as you are relying on the other person(s) to pay this or get cut off!

In one way it's obviously a blessing not being on the bills living with people with such poor financial management but it's annoying not being able to sort anything out because as you say they won't speak to me with me not being on the bill and quite clearly my housemates are useless.

I'll pick up a receipt book tomorrow morning so I can prove my contributions from this bill onwards. I have kept a record in notepad of what I've paid them but obviously that's not proof as they haven't signed that or anything.

Massive thank you to anyone who's helped!

chappers

SJ32116 wrote: »

I have kept a record in notepad of what I've paid them but obviously that's not proof as they haven't signed that or anything.

they would have to be pretty low life scum to deny you paid them though.