Previous tenant unpaid electric bill

kangoolari

Hi all,

I have a quick question on my mum's behalf. Since she moved into her flat in May, she's been receiving mail for the previous tenant - including bills - and has just been writing "Return to sender - not known at this address" on the envelopes and sending it back. However, today she's had people from the electricity company ringing on the doorbell. They've been to court, and want to fit a prepaid meter, because of unpaid bills. Mum had a meter reading end of November, but hasn't yet received a bill addressed to her (instead of the previous tenant). She's been in contact with the letting agent, who said that they advised the electricity company about the change of tenant when she moved in.

The agent is going to try and get in contact with the electicity company to sort things out - and as far as I know Mum isn't liable for the previous tenant's unpaid bills - but Mum's really worried. Will they still be allowed to fit the prepaid meter (since Mum hasn't received any electricity bills in her name since she moved in, so she hasn't paid anything)? Any other advice would also be greatly appreciated

HappyMJ

She only pays for usage since she has moved in. Does she know who the supplier is?

kangoolari

Scottish Power

HappyMJ

Then give them a ring and see what's going on. Don't leave it to the agent.

spiro

Just spotted your problem, you say the letting agent told the supplier she had moved in. It is her responsibility to do this so suggest she ensure her name and move in reading have correctly then been recorded.

Wywth

spiro wrote: »

Just spotted your problem, you say the letting agent told the supplier she had moved in. It is her responsibility to do this so suggest she ensure her name and move in reading have correctly then been recorded.

Correct, and a good letting agent should have advised the tenants of this

kangoolari

spiro wrote: »

Just spotted your problem, you say the letting agent told the supplier she had moved in. It is her responsibility to do this so suggest she ensure her name and move in reading have correctly then been recorded.

Never knew that....when my brother moved into his flat, the same letting agent informed Scottish Power that he was the new tenant, and he's never had a single problem with his bills (even though the previous tenants skipped out in the middle of the night to avoiding paying their debts )

Scottish_Power

kangoolari it sounds like we haven't had the information to close the previous tenants account. If you send details to [EMAIL="onlinecomplaints@scottishpower.com"]onlinecomplaints@scottishpower.com[/EMAIL] we can look into this for you. Thanks David

kangoolari

scottishpower_company_representative wrote: »

kangoolari it sounds like we haven't had the information to close the previous tenants account. If you send details to [EMAIL="onlinecomplaints@scottishpower.com"]onlinecomplaints@scottishpower.com[/EMAIL] we can look into this for you. Thanks David

Thanks - I'll pass that on to my mum

Blackpool_Saver

people are responsible for their own bills, not agents. You must see to your own affairs, don't rely on third parties to do this

macman

Agents will always promise the earth to get your signature and their commission;this is invariably the result.
She really should not have let this go since May. The suppliers are not psychic, they do not know when a tenancy has changed!
The issue now will be that if she did not take a reading when she took possession, then the reading will have to be estimated. She will also need to prove her tenancy start date. A lot more work than just phoning up in May and registering for an account.
She will also need to negotiate a repayment plan for the arrears for the last 8 months.
She needs to take control of this herself, it's nothing to do with the letting agency.