Quick Elec/Gas/Water query

kinny999

Morning folks, just a quick and easy one for you at this time of day.
I've recently moved into a new place where the previous tenant had debt with all the utility companies - Gas , Elec and Water so they were paying debt on the gas meter (gas card) and i assume on the other two as well.

I've two questions regarding this.

Question One.

Whats the best way to inform the companies that im a new tenant without ending up paying for any of their debt or at least with the least hassle? I know this sounds like an obvious one but in the past I've had problems where I've ended up paying for previous tenants debt's as they cannot update their systems quick enough, only to much later get the money back as credit after a set period when they pull their fingers out.

Question 2, and probably the more important one for me personally.

Where do i stand at this moment in time with regards to switching supplier? Should i call the current companies to inform them i'll be switching or should i juts arrange a new supplier now and let them do the work? I've been in the flat for literally 14 hours, 12 of which have been at work so it's not like ill have a huge interim bill between suppliers as i paid my bills in full prior to moving.

cheers for any help anyone can give, i understand the questions are a bit odd but i'd quite like just a bit of clarification.

thanks again,

Kinny

torbrex

Answer 1 - if you know your suppliers, phone them up, give them the meter number and MPAN/MPR if known as well as the meter reading that you took when you were given the keys and give details of when you took the keys, who the landlord is and your previous address if they ask for it.

Answer 2 - You will need to make sure that your landlord allows switching and you will need to wait for confirmation that the account has been changed into your name as well, usually the first bill, then it will be at the discression of the suppliers whether they accept you as a new customer with a short history of paying bills.

Wywth

kinny999 wrote: »

Morning folks, just a quick and easy one for you at this time of day.
I've recently moved into a new place where the previous tenant had debt with all the utility companies - Gas , Elec and Water so they were paying debt on the gas meter (gas card) and i assume on the other two as well.

I've two questions regarding this.

Question One.

Whats the best way to inform the companies that im a new tenant without ending up paying for any of their debt or at least with the least hassle? I know this sounds like an obvious one but in the past I've had problems where I've ended up paying for previous tenants debt's as they cannot update their systems quick enough, only to much later get the money back as credit after a set period when they pull their fingers out.

Question 2, and probably the more important one for me personally.

Where do i stand at this moment in time with regards to switching supplier? Should i call the current companies to inform them i'll be switching or should i juts arrange a new supplier now and let them do the work? I've been in the flat for literally 14 hours, 12 of which have been at work so it's not like ill have a huge interim bill between suppliers as i paid my bills in full prior to moving.

cheers for any help anyone can give, i understand the questions are a bit odd but i'd quite like just a bit of clarification.

thanks again,

Kinny

Answer 1 - call the relevant suppliers

Answer 2 - you can't until you have completed (1) above.
Attempting to do so invariably ends in tears.
You cannot switch water supplier.

kinny999

cheers for that

Terrylw1

You can switch without setting up an account but I would advise against it. You need to register with the current supplier anyway to tie up the accounting to a closing reading you give to the new supplier.

If the debt on the meter is greater than £200, they will object thinking you are the same tenant.

You are not liable for any such debt though but a supplier doesn't know unless you resolve it with them.

The landlord can't stop a switch as the tenancy agreement makes you liable for the elec & gas. The suppliers won't talk to that landlord about it.

If the landlord argues this later, raise it as an unfair contract term. Its likely the landlord won't even know.