Last EON Bill

inris2

HI

I moved out of a flat which was shared with a friend of mine. THe flat was all electric and had the meter changed from a pay as you go meter to a credit meter just after we moved in.
When this was changed the landlord put the account in my name only with EON. I have moved out of the address back in June with the ex flatmate moving out a month later.
I have had a very expensive last bill from EON and the ex flatmate has decided not to pay he's half leaving me with the whole bill. I contacted EON and explained the situation who said that this isnt a problem all I needed to do was send the original tennancy contract in to them with the ex flatmate's name and signiture on and as much information as possible and they will chase him for the remaining half of the bill.
I did this, sent the original contract with a letter to give as much info as i could over a week ago.
Today I have recieved a letter demanding the remaining half of the bill from me and to explain that I am fully responsable for the bill. I called them to go over what I have allready explained however the customer service rep has just advised what the letter has said. He did say he will look into a little more as my ex flatmate is noted up on the account and has permission to discuss the account etc but is still not responsable for the bills! ..
My question is, is there anyway that my ex flatmate can be chased for he's half of the bill? Wouldn't the responsabilty go onto the landlord if my ex flatmate could not be contacted?
EON still has not sent me back the tennancy contract as I have the same problem with the final water bill! :mad:

Joyful

When you share a flat everyone is liable but the supplier can chase the easiest person to get hold of. This is a 3rd party dispute which they will not usually get involved with. You may have to take your ex housemate to the small claims court. If you do not pay it your credit rating will be marked.

dogshome

From your post it seems that Eon have already gone an extra mile by even looking at the possibility of billing the Ex. flat mate for 1/2 the bill costs

The terms of your contract with Eon are that each and every resident in shared lease accomodation is liable for the entire bill - Even if they are not named as an account holder on the bill.

In general, Utility suppliers never get involved in arguements between shared accomodation customers, and why should they? - What financial arragements the tenants have made between themselves is not their responsibilty or concern

I'm afraid your redress with the Ex. flat mate is through Small Claims Court.

macman

You are both jointly and severally liable for the whole bill-not half each.
Normally the supplier will just go after the first person they can find. In your case, they have (unusually) attempted to locate and bill your ex flatmate-and have failed. They're now pursuing the balance of the debt from you, which they're entitled to do, as you remain fully liable.
No, it's nothing to do with the landlord-why would it be? The debt is owed by the tenants.

inris2

Thanks for the replies.

EON have been sort of helpfull however they have not attempted to contact my ex flatmate. When I spoke to them today a manager said that the information given to me to send in the contract etc was incorrect and I am fully resposable however the cust service chap did say he will look into and let me know if there is anything they can do.
I can understand that they will chase the account holder however my ex flatmate is on the account but not on the account header (if that makes sence). Also, the landlord put my name only on the account without me knowing when the meter was switched.
Also as my ex flatmate was living there over a month after i moved out, shouldnt the account be transfered into he's name after I paid my half?
The landlord is owed money by him also (the last months bills and rent shortages while he was there) and apparently the landlord is being chased for these.
I checked my credit report and there is a late payment mark against my name from EON but under the landlords address (linked addresses which I am also disputing). I also thought this is why a deposit is paid for any outstanding rent or bill arrears?

dogshome

Second thought
The OP says that they moved out of the flat one month before the Flat-mate.

If the OP can present Eon with hard evidence such as a Lease Agreement/Utility bill that proves from his move-out date he was living elsewhere, Eon should be persuaded into adjusting the bill by a % for the final month.

He should also advise Eon of the Flat-mates current address so that Eon can bill that person alone for the final months adjustment.

macman

As already pointed out, they're not obliged to contact your ex flatmate. How do you know they haven't tried? Your name is also on the tenancy agreement and, since they know where you live, it's you they're coming after.
You might not think that 'fair', but it's perfectly legal,
All the STA does is prove the correct dates that you were in occupation.
A deposit is paid to cover rent arrears and possible damages. It's nothing to do with utility bill arrears, for which the LL is not liable anyway while the property is tenanted. If you failed to inform Eon when you moved out and request the account closed, and supply a closing reading, then they'll of course carry on billing in your name-and mark your credit file if the bill is not paid.

inris2

dogshome wrote: »

Second thought
The OP says that they moved out of the flat one month before the Flat-mate.

If the OP can present Eon with hard evidence such as a Lease Agreement/Utility bill that proves from his move-out date he was living elsewhere, Eon should be persuaded into adjusting the bill by a % for the final month.

He should also advise Eon of the Flat-mates current address so that Eon can bill that person alone for the final months adjustment.

This is exactly what my issue with EON.. It was actually the landlord who gave EON my new address and are now chasing me for the bill that I should not have to pay. When I questioned the landlord about this (as I thought the account was closed) the landlord just told me to get the money off the flatmate.... The landlord works with the ex flatmate so surley its easier for him to chase the ex flatmate!. Even though I told EON I was moving out on such and such a date, I doubt if the landlord would of told EON that the flatmate was still going to be living there and not changed the names over. This wouldnt be my responsability?
I understand that both tennants are responsible for the whole bill and I can understand where EON are coming from and to go on the info provided to them but EON know I have paid my share of the bills but continue to chase me for the entire balance leaving my ex flatmate getting off scott free!
I'm getting the address for my ex flatmate tomorrow and will update them as soon as I do..

Thanks again

E.ON_Company_Rep_Chris

Hello inris2

I’m sorry to hear that your flatmate has left you in the lurch like this, it is a difficult situation and it looks as though we’ve given you some conflicting advice on the phones.

As the account has been in your name from the very beginning, then you are effectively the bill payer and are responsible for ensuring that the bills are paid and they give you their share.

I’m afraid we can’t allow you to pay your share and then try and contact them for the rest, as they have never been listed as a bill payer. I appreciate that they have been down as contact with authority to discuss the account.

As the others have explained, this is what we call a third-party dispute and we’ll need you to pay the bill and then take steps to recover what you’re owed from your former flat-mate. Your landlord may be able to help with this and you could contact the Citizens Advice Bureau for some information.

I know this must seem very harsh. We’ll help as much as we can by giving you time to pay the bill, just speak to us about a payment arrangement. I do hope that your housemate does the right thing and pays their share.

Hope this helps a little.

Amanda

inris2

E.ON_Company_Rep_Amanda wrote: »

Hello inris2

I’m sorry to hear that your flatmate has left you in the lurch like this, it is a difficult situation and it looks as though we’ve given you some conflicting advice on the phones.

As the account has been in your name from the very beginning, then you are effectively the bill payer and are responsible for ensuring that the bills are paid and they give you their share.

I’m afraid we can’t allow you to pay your share and then try and contact them for the rest, as they have never been listed as a bill payer. I appreciate that they have been down as contact with authority to discuss the account.

As the others have explained, this is what we call a third-party dispute and we’ll need you to pay the bill and then take steps to recover what you’re owed from your former flat-mate. Your landlord may be able to help with this and you could contact the Citizens Advice Bureau for some information.

I know this must seem very harsh. We’ll help as much as we can by giving you time to pay the bill, just speak to us about a payment arrangement. I do hope that your housemate does the right thing and pays their share.

Hope this helps a little.

Amanda

Hi Amanda

Thanks for your reply

As I've said, EON have been helpful with this issue and in my experience, EON have some great customer service personnel who provide excellent customer service. The chap I spoke to yesterday was excellent.

I understand that you guys wont get into any 3rd party issues however I was told that EON can chase the ex flatmate who is equally responsible for payment. I was told not to worry about it and as long as I prove that he was living there (tennancy contract) and that the account will be transfered into he's name etc. You can imagin my frustration and dissapointment when the letter came through threatening court action against me.
I tried to put him on the account but as he refused to sign anything for this to happen, EON placed he's name on the account with my understanding that this was the same as being on the header.
Also, I moved out before the flatmate, surley the account must of been transfered over? If not, then sureley this would be up to the landlord?
I guess what im looking for is something/somebody with authority to let him know that he should pay.
You are welcome to pm me and I'll give you the account number to have a look through.

E.ON_Company_Rep_Chris

I’m glad to hear you’ve had a good experience with us overall, I’m afraid the first person you spoke to about this did give you incorrect information and we can’t chase your housemate for their share whilst you were listed as the bill payer.

When you moved out did you contact us to let us know? If not, does your tenancy agreement show that you left before them? If this is the case, we can certainly bill your housemate for the period after you moved out.

I don’t have the option to PM you on here, but if you’d like me to have a look, you can email your details to the address on my profile and I’ll be happy to help. I'll also make sure I send some feedback as it's not fair that you were misinformed.

Amanda