EON Energy want copy of tenancy agreement...

Morganarla

Hi all

We moved into a new property in May, that has electric only which is provided by Eon Energy.

Due to various things, we have only just got the details sent off for the account to be put in our names instead of the previous tenants.

We have provided moving in readings and up to date readings and have asked to be billed for that period ASAP so that we might pay it.

Eon have responded that they want a full copy of our tenancy agreement before they will proceed.

I have been with British Gas, EDF and Southern Electric in previous rentals, and not one of them has asked for a copy of a tenancy agreement, even in similar circumstances where the account hasn't been set up at the second I walked through the door of my new home.

I'm unwilling to provide this paperwork, as it seems completely unnecessary. If all the other major providers can do it without, why can't Eon? Ridiculous.

I would call them to discuss, but helpfully, they're not open on a Sunday to call them, although they are seemingly able to send emails (which is how we found out about this).

Thoughts? Anyone had a similar experience?

spacey2012

Call someone else, take proof of meter readings an wait for EON to bill you

jacques_chirac

Not ridiculous at all - it could be that the previous tenant has an outstanding debt, and they need to ensure you are not the same person trying to open a new account under a different/ your partner's name.

Morganarla

jacques_chirac wrote: »

Not ridiculous at all - it could be that the previous tenant has an outstanding debt, and they need to ensure you are not the same person trying to open a new account under a different/ your partner's name.

I see your point, but if all the other providers don't require this, why does EON? I've lived in more than one property where I knew this was the case and nothing further was requested of me because of someone else's debt.

Cardew

Morganarla wrote: »

I see your point, but if all the other providers don't require this, why does EON? I've lived in more than one property where I knew this was the case and nothing further was requested of me because of someone else's debt.

Were you 4 months late in providing details and meter readings to other suppliers as well?

Presumably there is a problem with an unpaid bill from the previous tenant. As suggested above you wouldn't be the first tenant to try and put the account in a different name and escape paying for their previous debt.(not suggesting you are)

You are asking them to accept meter readings from May and so already owe them money. Further more you are, in effect, asking them for credit.

Because other suppliers didn't ask for rental agreements, why should that mean Eon can't make such a request?

What is the problem in you providing such evidence?

lemontart

Not uncommon at all, as previously mentioned previous occupier may have owed money, and suppliers want proof that someone is not out to pull a fast one so to say.

Cardew

Had the previous tenant provided the same meter readings as yours when they left; gave a forwarding address and settled bill, there probably wouldn't have been a problem.

You would have had correspondence addressed to 'The Occupier'.

So it is very probable that there is some problem with unpaid bills.

It seems your only objection is that you consider it unnecessary. However E-on consider it necessary and it would appear to be a reasonable request.

Morganarla

Cardew wrote: »

Were you 4 months late in providing details and meter readings to other suppliers as well?

In one case, it was nearly 8 months. This was many years ago when I was much younger. And again, I was not asked to provide a copy of my tenancy agreement. My meter readings were accepted, as was my request for an immediate and up-to-date bill in order to pay in full. Seeing as most utilities can be paid quarterly, I shouldn't see that this is that much of a problem.

Cardew wrote: »

Presumably there is a problem with an unpaid bill from the previous tenant. As suggested above you wouldn't be the first tenant to try and put the account in a different name and escape paying for their previous debt.(not suggesting you are)

Again, understood. However, my point still stands about having been in a situation before where I KNEW the previous tenant has significant debt (she was my cousin..) and the supplier at the time (British Gas) didn't have a peep to say about it to me in any way shape or form. We have the same surname but different initial so surely that would raise more suspicion than someone with a different name, different gender, offering meter readings and REQUESTING a bill?!

Cardew wrote: »

You are asking them to accept meter readings from May and so already owe them money. Further more you are, in effect, asking them for credit.

A credit meter is installed, and as per my previous point about most utilities billing quarterly, they have only really given us a month of 'credit' And are now stalling on our offer to pay the balance of the meter readings in full...

Cardew wrote: »

Because other suppliers didn't ask for rental agreements, why should that mean Eon can't make such a request?

They are asking for a FULL copy of the tenancy agreement. they do not require this to fulfill their purpose (if it is indeed that the previous tenant has debt). If they want confirmation of our move in date, then surely an email from our letting agent should suffice?

Cardew wrote: »

What is the problem in you providing such evidence?

1. It is unnecessary in the form that it has been requested, as explained above.

2. We don't have the facilities to scan in documents and send them via email which would mean one of us taking them to work to do (not really appropriate..) We have no account number for Eon so it would not be sensible to send hard copies in the post as we have nothing to reference it to.

3. Our tenancy agreement, although containing all the standard, legal info, has also been personalized and adapted for our individual situation and includes information that frankly, Eon Energy does not need to know about us. Let me state again that they want a FULL copy of the agreement.

chanz4

They only care about the dates / your name, all suppliers do ask just depends on the status of the move out account.

They can also ask your letting agents for it

lemontart

Not quite sure why you feel it is not called for - it is up to the supplier what they need to ensure they are dealing with the right person and not someone else - just because other companies have not asked you in the past does not mean they have not asked others.

It is no hardship to you to provide information then change suppliers if not happy that they want to protect their interests.

matelodave

If you don't like it then go somewhere else - it's not hard, however if there's an unpaid bill outstanding from a previous tenant, you might end up pay for their share as well