old utilities debt showing on credit file - Hoist Portfolio

suziebear_2

Hiya,

I'm hoping someone can help.

I've recently obtained by credit file and I have found a defaulted debt on there from a company called "HOIST PORTFOLIO HOLDING 2 LIMITED" showing as a public utility debt, they have me marked as defaulted from 01/08/2008.

Thing is I've lived at my current flat since April 2007, my water bills are perfectly upto date, my electricity is pay as you go and the flat had only just been fitted with a gas line last year (council slow to get with the times) and those bills are upto date too.

I've done a bit of digging through some old post and I've only ever seemed to have had one letter from this company about 2yrs ago and it said it's ex British Gas. I've not had anything to do with British gas since my last address which I moved out of back in Jan 2007.

Surely this company can randomly default me on a debt nearly a year and half after I moved out of the old address? I don't remember owing British Gas anything when I left and assumed my old landlord would have transferred the account/cancelled the account when I moved out.

I'm unsure where to go from here as it's affecting my credit rating. Am I right that this debt should be statue barrred. Can I have it removed from my credit file and if so what steps do I need to take?

Thanks

happy_bunny_2

If you haven't made a payment towards or acknowledged the debt in writing for a period of 6 years then its statute barred.

Is it actually your debt? How much is the default for?

Sometimes it takes a while to file a default, but that long after is too long. Sometimes DCAs change it so its still on your report and to try and argue not statute barred.

You could raise a query via the CRA as they will know your address history. Don't hold much hope though.

You would have to complain to get the date changed, otherwise you are stuck with it for another year.

Save a copy of your credit file in case they alter it again.

StixUK

or you could pay it as you probably owe it when you left the property being supplied by British Gas?

You have assumed your landlord would do it. This is not the case. It is your responsibility to inform all companies of your new address and to pay any outstanding bills left at a property.


You have checked your credit file, they would have issued the relevant correspondance to the last known address on their records. Yes they can default you 18 months after you moved out.


Hoist is also a Swedish company that have taken over from the Debt Collection Agency, Robinson Way. It appears that they have purchased this debt from British Gas (that's what the 'ex' means on the letter) and all rights to the debt are with them.


This is prob why your default wasn't applied for until the debt was sold by British Gas.