Landlord made me liable for a bill without consent - then debt collectors

Bluebirdman_of_Alcathays

twuble wrote: »

Well while they are sending them to the "occupier", it's a bit odd for them to try and claim money/send debt collectors for the people in there.
How do they know that the current people in there have been there for the time they were sending the bills through? Especially if they can't even do a meter reading on the property at the changeover. They could have moved in just last week, and are therefore only due to pay the amount from that week.

We had a similar thing happen though with the water bill, was previously in one tenants name and they just rang up and changed it over without talking to the other tenant, or the water company confirming this was ok.

Why? This happens all the time - people move into properties, assume it's free and ignore the bills sent to "The Occupier" Debt collection activity then has to proceed.*

Funnily enough energy companies can't guess when people move houses and then send a meter reader over. They get read once every 2 years, the rest is down to the consumer.

* Not for one moment suggesting this is what happened in the OP's case.

Ulfar

I would suggest moving. Your Landlord is a cheeky git.

Failing that contact British Gas, ask them what the meter reading was when the account was transferred. Pay for Gas only from that point. Cancel the boiler cover.

I would not be paying for the boiler cover as this is the landlords responsibility.

Bewilderment

Thank you to everyone for the advice - I have really appreciated it!

I called British Gas and they told me that my landlord cancelled his account with them in early June. While I unfortunately don't remember the exact date, I'm almost certain this is before he told me he wanted me to pay for heating. I am pretty certain that was in July. As a result of this cancellation, the bills and fees automatically transferred into an "Occupant" account.

Fortunately British Gas were great. They removed the debt collector fees and have transferred the account back into the name of my landlord while I speak to him and find out what the heck he was trying to do. I asked about having an account with them and they said that if I put the account in my name to pay my gas bills, I will also have to pay standing charges, which isn't an idea I'm very keen on (I use so little gas that the standing charges would probably be more than the gas bill). Therefore, I'm going to ask my landlord to retain his BG account and I will pay him for the gas usage as we agreed.

I don't think he's going to like that, because I suspect what happened is that my landlord lost his temper over the boiler (which kept breaking and cost him a lot in repairs) and decided to just cancel his account with BG and leave me to sort out whatever ensued because he couldn't be bothered. Perhaps he did intend to tell me he had done this but forgot, and perhaps "I want you to pay for heating" was all he felt necessary to say on the subject. Either way, him not telling me and just leaving charges to accrue in the name of "Occupant" resulted in a great deal of stress and confusion for me and cost me of sleep over the last few nights.

It's probably true that I should move but, despite being a model tenant and paying my rent on time for three years, it's a tricky business finding a good landlord while in possession of housing benefit and a cat - any takers?!

Just kidding, thank you for the help everyone. I hope my landlord doesn't go ballistic when I question the actions he took.

stator

If you are the only person in the house with gas, then the standing charge would be solely for your connection?

Bewilderment

That's correct, Stator. The other flats are all electric.

I actually asked to be transferred to electric with the other flats but the landlord refused as my flat has a bathtub (apparently electric can't heat water for a bath?). So paying extra on top of my gas bill because I have a boiler doesn't seem fair.

jennifernil

unfortunately, most gas tariffs do have standing charges.

however, there is nothing stopping you shopping around and seeing if a different supplier can do a better tariff without a standing charge.

Pixie5740

If you don't want to pay standing charges then shop around and find a supplier with a tariff that doesn't have standing charges. If you manage to find one then it's likely that the price per kW/hr of gas will be higher than a tariff with standing charges.

i think you've learned some valuable lessons here. When you start a new utility account, take meter readings. When post arrives at your home addressed to the occupier...open it.

What about the electricity supply to your flat? Do you have your own bill for that or is it included in your rent as well?

stator

You could always suggest to the landlord that you could have a pre-payment meter fitted. They are a bit more expensive but you are in complete control and don't have to deal with estimated bills. There would still be a standing charge though.

Bluebirdman_of_Alcathays

stator wrote: »

You could always suggest to the landlord that you could have a pre-payment meter fitted. They are a bit more expensive but you are in complete control and don't have to deal with estimated bills. There would still be a standing charge though.

I thought this was a money-saving forum?! PPMs are around 20% more expensive than paying by DD.

If the OP does end up taking responsibility for the bills, which it now seems they don't, a prepayment meter is about the worst idea around.