help unexpected Npower Bill from 2008

lp1978

Hi im after some help and direction for a situation i find myself in.

I arrived home to a letter today from Buchanan Clark and Wells, I instantly panicked as the letter looks official and worried me, on calling them ive discovered a house i rented from a private landlord in 2008 for six months that should have included my untilies ie electric..........didnt and according to Npower i owe them a mind boggling £857. They say they havent been able to trace me for 4 years even though for 2 of them i was a customer of theirs before moving to British Gas in july 2010. I never once received a bill while i lived in the property nor was i asked to give a meter reading to anyone. I assumed my landlord was dealing with it all, I no longer have any old copies of agreements and i wondered where i stand on the matter as i just dont have £857 to pay out, can i direct them back to my landlord and will this affect my credit rating.

I tried so hard after my divorce to pay all my debts and start a fresh i finally improved my credit rating to now feel that this is something ive had no control over and i'm right back in the thick of debt because of it..............:mad: the very thought of owing so much makes me feel ill, to get such a letter has knocked me for six.

Help please
lee

dogshome

Without a copy of the lease agreement you are in a difficult position, however the first thing to do is get a copy of the actual bill that n'power have issued and make sure that it's supply dates coincide with the term of your tenancy. - If they don't and the charges are for a longer period, even without the lease agreement you should be able to prove you were living elsewhere at the 'overcharged' period

It's a slim chance, but contact the letting agents for this house as they may still have a copy of your lease.

macman

If your lease stated that electricity was included, then its not your problem, it's your ex-landlord's.
Surely that was made clear one way or the other at the time you signed the STA?

lp1978

Thanks for the reply guys, it was made perfectly clear when I signed the lease trouble is I don't have a copy now and I privately rented from a builder I know through work.

I've written to the collection company stating that and I'm currently awaiting a reply from them. The dates they are asking work to the day but I've never once spoken with NPower about the property or given any meter reading I'm guessing the landlord did that!

I will pop back and update you once things have progressed - suffice to say Christmas is out of the question this year along with my credit rating by the looks of it..........

macman

You need to discuss it with your ex-LL