debt collectors chasing father for debt thats not his

missindecisive

thats it really. My father is abroad and the debt is from an unpaid B/Gas bill that a tennant left outstanding when renting out dad's house here in the uk. He had a well known letting agency in charge of the property for him, they dealt with everything, but the one thing they didn't seem to do is make sure that all utility bills where paid and up to date before each tennant left. Now the bailiffs are writing to Dad saying that they will empty the property of his belongings in order to recover the money, approx £330.

The property is empty, apart from a fairly old gas cooker which is still connected to the mains. There is nothing else in it of any value.
what should he do ? Can he force the letting agency to give details of the tennant (who left the debt) to the debt collectors? it seems so unfair that he should be pursued for it. He owns the house but has not lived in the uk for 7 years. plse help.:(

taffy056

If there is a tenancy agreement in force that your father can show that there was somebody else living there, then legally he is not responsible for the debt I believe, he needs to get a copy of this agreement and forward it to British Gas, its their responsibility to chase up where these people are not your Dad's. I am sure others will give further advice.

missindecisive

thankyou. there have been several tennants over the years but I think from the limited info that ive got, the debt belongs to a tennant from some time ago. Dad is stressed and burying his head in the sand, he is not very good at dealing with things like this:(