Npower sends Occupier Bill from previous tenant!

Stressed_Over_Occupier

Anyone any thoughts on what to do?

I recently purchased a place and on the day I got access to the property, I looked at the letters. Some where address to previous tenant some where to "The Occupier". Opened them up and saw some firm wrote in Npower name about a huge unpaid bill and they may turn off electricity or put a pre-paid meter.

Called Npower and told them the day of Completion and meter reading on that day. Asked them about previous bill and they said " We cannot discuss this with you as its not in your name". Told me to return letters.

However, more letters coming from Npower and I keep returning them. I am very irritated as this is causing us a lot of stress and really do not want them to accidentally charge my account.

Any thoughts on what I should do?

Conker25

Keep returning them. You're not liable for the bill so I wouldn't worry

matelodave

You should only be paying for any energy used since the initial reading that you sent to Npower, anything before that is up to them to recover from the previous customer. You shouldn't get involved. So assuming that you've now set up your accounts with who ever your supplier is against your initial meter read any other letters not specifically addressed to you should be returned.

My suggestion is to send Npower or who ever you are with a monthly meter reading so that they know what you are using. You should also make sure that any bills you receive accurately reflect your consumption and if there are any inaccurate estimates make sure that you let the power company know immediately and get the bill adjusted.

If you keep an eye on what's happening then you can sort out any problems as soon as they occur, rather than letting any anomalies compound themselves. Most problems that get reported on this forum could have been avoided if people had sorted out any problems immediately, rather than hoping that they'd go away.

Stressed_Over_Occupier

Thank you! I forgot to mention, that the letters I opened where addressed to "The Occupier". They had even payment history from over the summer.

I will keep returning them. I have my own account with npower now from the day I received access to the flat and with the meter reading from that day.

Just worried as not sure what are potential consequences onto the property from previous tenant unpaid bills. In addition to this, we got really worried and stressed when we saw an over 900GBP bill. So, its a weekly npower letter for "The Occupier" that compounds the annoyance and stress.

Npower said to just Return letters, but always better watch over with Utilities firms (as far as I read on this forum).

ValHaller

Stressed_Over_Occupier wrote: »

..... I will keep returning them.

Just worried as not sure what are potential consequences onto the property from previous tenant unpaid bills. In addition to this, we got really worried and stressed when we saw an over 900GBP bill. So, its a weekly npower letter for "The Occupier" that compounds the annoyance and stress.

Npower said to just Return letters, but always better watch over with Utilities firms (as far as I read on this forum).

There is no obligation to return the letters. Elsewhere on these forums we advise people to open and read everything addressed to The Occupier, because it is meant for the attention of the current occupier and may contain information relevant to you as occupier.

Clearly in this case it is not meant for you, but if you read the letters, you could find a threat of disconnection or change to a prepayment meter. In your situation, I think I would be telling nPower that the letters must stop or you will change supplier. It will give nPower one less justification to disconnect or fit prepay meters.

As for the effect on the address, addresses have not been blacklisted for many years on credit records.

macman

Assuming you now have your own account properly set up and being paid, it's none of your concern what the previous occupier owes.

Stressed_Over_Occupier

Feeling a bit more relaxed now, but I will try to reach out to Npower again and try to get them to stop letters to "the Occupier" to the flat, considering I have my own account with them.
I really hope they stop!

I never had unpaind bills as always manage my expenses vs. income, so these previous tenants unpaid bills area really worrisome to us.

Appreciate everyone's advise!

Stressed_Over_Occupier

Called Npower after about 30min wait I got the advise:
- Please Return to Sender. We send Occupier as we do not have a forwarding address of the previous tenant after they closed the account.
- If you want us to stop sending these letter, return them to us with a cover letter requesting these to us and provide us previous landlord details if possible.
- That may stop the letters, but it all depends on when we update our systems.

I will go ahead and do that, but this does not seem very fair to me. How can they close the account without their forwarding address. They must have phone, emails of the tenant. So incredibly annoying to be honest. Anyway, will wait for the next Occupier letter and do that.

Bullish

Next time you get the a letter write back as they suggested but as they are so blase about it all put a sting in it. Tell them that you are formally notifying them that the "The Occupier" does not live at that address and that should you receive further letters you shall forward the letters together with an invoice for your time as well as notifying the ICO that they are not maintaining accurate records.

Make the sum small and make it for time spent preparing the letter and posting it, a couple of pounds will be fine and chase it up with them.

After a couple of invoices they should get the message and get their records corrected. Remember they are making you waste your time with their incompetence

Cardew

Stressed_Over_Occupier wrote: »

So incredibly annoying to be honest.

There really is no need to get stressed yourself as it happens to literally hundreds of thousands of people.

If something inconsequential like that stresses you, you better get some valium for dealing with Utility and water company billing.

Stressed_Over_Occupier

Cardew wrote: »

If something inconsequential like that stresses you, you better get some valium for dealing with Utility and water company billing.

Fair enough!