Housing association refusing to pay old gas bill

La_leyenda

I bought a new home off a housing association last year, and officially signed my contract and got the keys on May 29th, 2012.

Being a new home, it has had no previous tenants.

I registered with British gas, and they've sent me a bill from May 29th onwards, which I've paid.

They're chasing a bill from February up to May 29th, ie the time the property first started using gas, but it was before I owned the property. The bill has been addressed to the housing association, but arrives at my flat. I've been down to the offices, given them the numerous letters, including one from a collection agency, but they keep saying they'll sort it but clearly the bill isn't being paid.

I'm a bit worried about it because even though the bill isn't in my name, my address still appears on the letters (I did phone British gas and asked that they be forwarded direct to the housing association) so if any debt collectors come it'll be my door they're turning up at. I may be wrong, but would an outstanding debt linked to my address also affect my credit rating?


Am I in the right here, thinking that since I didn't own the property the bill isn't mine? Or from buying the property as new I take on all bills, even past ones?

HappyMJ

Not your problem. Just ignore it. Non payment will not affect you in any way. Debt collectors will not visit. Eventually the computer will stop sending letters. You do not take on past bills when you take over a property (except in very limited circumstances and gas and electric isn't one of them).

vuvuzela

La_leyenda wrote: »

I bought a new home off a housing association last year, and officially signed my contract and got the keys on May 29th, 2012.

Being a new home, it has had no previous tenants.

I registered with British gas, and they've sent me a bill from May 29th onwards, which I've paid.

They're chasing a bill from February up to May 29th, ie the time the property first started using gas, but it was before I owned the property. The bill has been addressed to the housing association, but arrives at my flat. I've been down to the offices, given them the numerous letters, including one from a collection agency, but they keep saying they'll sort it but clearly the bill isn't being paid.

I'm a bit worried about it because even though the bill isn't in my name, my address still appears on the letters (I did phone British gas and asked that they be forwarded direct to the housing association) so if any debt collectors come it'll be my door they're turning up at. I may be wrong, but would an outstanding debt linked to my address also affect my credit rating?


Am I in the right here, thinking that since I didn't own the property the bill isn't mine? Or from buying the property as new I take on all bills, even past ones?

The bill is from before you moved in, and you can easily prove this, therefore it is categorically not your responsibility.
Also, debt is not linked to addresses, it is linked to individuals, and your own credit history will not be affected by this.