Scottish Southern Electric threatening to install key meter

mrmotivator

Hi everyone,

I'm having a dispute with Scottish Southern Electric (SSE). I split up with my ex (who I was living with in rented accomodation) in June 2012. The electricity bill was solely in her name as she agreed to pay for it. When we split up she agreed to carry on paying the electric for me to pay me back for money that I had given her. Anyway, she has now decided that she doesnt want to pay and SSE have said that they are going to install a key meter unless they receive payment. I have explained the situation to them but they have said that I have to pay the bill as I live in the house - even though the electric is not in my name. Where do I stand here and what should I do?

Many thanks in advance,
MrMotivator.

Fire_Fox

So your ex doesn't live in the house? Is her name still on the tenancy agreement? I suspect you are liable, you wouldn't expect the previous residents whom you did not know to keep paying your energy bills even after they had moved out. Your agreement for your ex to pay after she vacated may well be deemed a private one, not the concern of the energy supplier.

Try taking a reading and changing the supply to your name as if you had just moved in, hopefully they will change it over and start chasibng your ex for the debt.

Do you have proof you loaned your ex money whilst you were together? If so send her a letter before action threatening a small claims action in the county court to get it back. But do understand you will need to demonstrate that the money was loaned and it was always the intention that she would pay you back, you didn't just change your mind when you split.

mrmotivator

Hi Fire Fox, no, she no longer lives in the house and is not on the tenancy agreement any more. In hindsight I probably should have just said I moved in and let them chase her, but stupidly I was honest with SSE. Unfortunately I have no proof - I gave her cash and have no agreement set in place. I was hoping I could just say to SSE chase her and get them to start the electric fresh again with me, but the debt collector said I was responsible. Not sure if that is scare tactics or he is being genuine.

Fire_Fox

If your ex does not live there and is not on the tenancy agreement I suspect she is not liable for any use after moving out, you are as the occupier. When was the meter last read by you or the supplier? Do you have a recently dated tenancy agreement in your name only? Does your ex have a copy of the old agreement in joint names? Do you have your ex's new postal address?

You could try setting up a new account with SSE or another supplier in your name only as if you just moved in, it's possible they will block any transfer tho. And that does not necessarily mean that you don't have to pay the old debt if your ex fails to pay/ disputes it, I believe they could come after you any time in the next six years.

One final issue that strikes me is that I don't understand why SSE have spoken to you about a debt and account that is not in your name, that is potentially a breach of Data Protection. It *may* be the conversation you had with the 'debt collector' was off the record so they don't officially know of your links to your ex. Who was the 'debt collector', were they in person or on the telephone, were they employed directly by SSE or an outside agency?

sheffield_lad

Good advice already given.

There is another way of not having the PP and that is setting up a repayment plan to include debt recovery and cover usage.

mrmotivator

Meter was last read by SSE on 4th Feb so is recent. The last tenancy I have in my name only was in October 2011. I doubt she will have kept the old agreement and I have her contact number but not her actual adress. I just know she is living in Germany at the moment. SSE sent a debt collector when I was out and he put a letter through my door marked with her name and occupier. I read it and, as it said they were going to put prepayment meter in unless bill was paid, I decided to ring the debt collector up and tell him what was going on. Then he basically said that I am responsible because I was living in the house. I think the debt collector is part of SSE. I did try ringing British Gas to go with them and they have said they will supply electricity but will take time to process. I told them everything that had happened and they were okay. Im just worried that later down the line they say SSE have blocked the transfer because of the debt.

mrmotivator

howee wrote: »

Good advice already given.

There is another way of not having the PP and that is setting up a repayment plan to include debt recovery and cover usage.

Yes, this is definitely a better option. Was kind of hoping I would't have to pay, but it looks like I'm just going to have to take the hit.

Wywth

mrmotivator wrote: »

Hi everyone,

I'm having a dispute with Scottish Southern Electric (SSE). I split up with my ex (who I was living with in rented accomodation) in June 2012. The electricity bill was solely in her name as she agreed to pay for it. When we split up she agreed to carry on paying the electric for me to pay me back for money that I had given her. Anyway, she has now decided that she doesnt want to pay and SSE have said that they are going to install a key meter unless they receive payment. I have explained the situation to them but they have said that I have to pay the bill as I live in the house - even though the electric is not in my name. Where do I stand here and what should I do?

Many thanks in advance,
MrMotivator.

Pay the bill!

Any dispute between you and your ex is of no interest to the supplier.

As you were living in the property, named on the TA and presumably using the energy at the time, I would fully expect the supplier to be able to make you pay if necessary, especially as you failed to notify the supplier when you continued to use the energy that was in your ex's name even though she was no longer living there, on the TA or using the energy.

The supplier has now caught up with you. If you don't want the PPMs, then pay up (hopefully that will stop their introduction)

Sort out your dirty washing with your ex in private, not via attempting to involve the supplier for they will not be interested as you have discovered.

mrmotivator

Hi Wytwth, I think you're right. Thank you to you and everyone else who has provided advice. I'll just go ahead and pay the bill.

jalexa

mrmotivator wrote: »

...SSE sent a debt collector when I was out and he put a letter through my door marked with her name and occupier...

A previous poster mentioned Data Protection. Your case is complicated by your previous residency but look at "previous account holder and occupier". If you (i.e. somebody unconnected) had moved in there would be no liability. SSE IMO are wrong wrong wrong to link the previous account holder and "the occupier". I would attempt to drive a very sharp (or blunt even) wedge between SSE and the conduct of their appointed debt collector.

SSE are very protective of their leading customer service standards. You can use that to your advantage by attempting to link them to the dubious conduct of their appointed debt collector. Do that via the Complaints procedure and collection activity should be stayed pending the Complaint outcome (including any Energy Ombudsman referral).

Fire_Fox

mrmotivator wrote: »

Meter was last read by SSE on 4th Feb so is recent. The last tenancy I have in my name only was in October 2011. I doubt she will have kept the old agreement and I have her contact number but not her actual adress. I just know she is living in Germany at the moment. SSE sent a debt collector when I was out and he put a letter through my door marked with her name and occupier. I read it and, as it said they were going to put prepayment meter in unless bill was paid, I decided to ring the debt collector up and tell him what was going on. Then he basically said that I am responsible because I was living in the house. I think the debt collector is part of SSE. I did try ringing British Gas to go with them and they have said they will supply electricity but will take time to process. I told them everything that had happened and they were okay. Im just worried that later down the line they say SSE have blocked the transfer because of the debt.

If she is in Germany you haven't a cat in hell's chance anyway. So you owe backdated energy for quite a while then and have dropped yourself in it with British Gas too. I suspect you will have to pay back as far as October 2011.

Sounds like bad practice on behalf of the debt collector, I am with Jalexa. Did SSE not send any red bills/ reminders before now or did you simply not open them as nothing addressed to you by name or as occupier (understandable)?