Gas & Electric Company Charging Past Tenants Debt To Me

swilsondur

Hello All

First time poster so sorry if this is in the incorrect place.

I have tried all forms and routes with no luck so maybe you guys can help me with my small issue.

My Gas and Electric suppler (will remain nameless) has told me this week that they will charge me for a past tenants debt at my address.

They will not tell me the amount of debt or the amount per month or per week I have to pay them as the debt is not mine.

They have told me that they can charge this bill to me as they have no way or can't trace the past tenant.

It is worth pointing out at this point that although this is not my choice I am on prepayment meters so can't or have no option but to pay of the debt.


I do have a new account with this company I am with and they accept over the phone that I am not the past tenant.

I have to my knowledge;

• New Gas Card
• New Account Number
• Welcome Book And Letter

I do hope some one can give me an idea of what i can do...

Andy_WSM

Write to them asking to raise a COMPLAINT. Furnish them with a copy of your agreement showing the date you took possession of the property (they will not do this on trust or faith). Do you still have the opening readings from the date you moved in? Ideally with photos of the meters showing those readings? If you do, provide those also.

They can not bill you for consumption that is not yours, just because they can't chase the previous tenant.

Bluebirdman_of_Alcathays

swilsondur wrote: »

Hello All

First time poster so sorry if this is in the incorrect place.

I have tried all forms and routes with no luck so maybe you guys can help me with my small issue.

My Gas and Electric suppler (will remain nameless) has told me this week that they will charge me for a past tenants debt at my address.

They will not tell me the amount of debt or the amount per month or per week I have to pay them as the debt is not mine.

They have told me that they can charge this bill to me as they have no way or can't trace the past tenant.

It is worth pointing out at this point that although this is not my choice I am on prepayment meters so can't or have no option but to pay of the debt.


I do have a new account with this company I am with and they accept over the phone that I am not the past tenant.

I have to my knowledge;

• New Gas Card
• New Account Number
• Welcome Book And Letter

I do hope some one can give me an idea of what i can do...

Name the company.

If all you say is true, they're breaking the law.

Write a letter clearly headed "Complaint". They then have 8 weeks to resolve the matter to your satisfaction, you can then take the matter to the Ombudsman. I would also prepare to contact my MP, and would definitely be haranguing this company on social media.

My money is on this being a smaller supplier, for all the !!!! the big boys get on here no way would they try this on.

SwanJon

As above, name them and complain.

You can see what the meter is doing:
Start with the card out, and the meter showing your credit for gas.
Pressing and releasing the red button will cycle through three screens:
For gas -> OWED -> Index
The last of these (if present) is the meter reading - this shows how much you use.
Once back on 'for gas', press and hold the red button until the screen changes. You will now see a number in the corner of the screen. Every time you push and release the red button the screen will change again.

You are looking for:
27 - GD remaining - how much is left to pay back (if this is zero the meter doesn't know about it)
25/26 - GD Week MIN/MAX - how much you are paying back each week towards the bill. This will only be taken if there is a value on 27
00 - Last Credit - how much you topped up last time
01 - Las for debt - how much of the last top up was taken for debt payment
02 - Last for EmCr - how much of the last payment was used to pay back the emergecny credit
03 - Last for gas - how much of the last credit went to be used for gas
10 - Tariff Cost 5 - the price per kWh
17 - Standing Charge


You only mention a new Gas card - what about the electricity?