My Mum Died now Eon want me to pay her bill

Computer_Idiot

Hello to you all here!! :beer: My Mum died last autumn. Just before she died, Eon discovered that there was a period when, due to their errors, she wasn't charged for any gas use at all. She agreed to pay off the amount by increasing her direct debit payments to cover it.

But when she died there was just under £200 outstanding. I lived with her in an housing association property, and have been given a new account by Eon. Eon have added this amount to my account and have billed me for it.

I was in no way responsible for the property before her death. I assumed that this debt is like any other when someone does - that is, it is paid out of the estate of the deceased (of which there was none - a small amount in hre bank went towards funeral costs). But Eon tell me that energy usage is different.

Their representative said that as I benefited from the usage of the gas I am liable for the amount under the Electricity Act (1997). I can find no such legislation.

So am I liable?

E.ON_Company_Representative:_Helena

Good morning Computer Idiot and welcome to the forum.

I'm sorry you've had to deal with this at such a difficult time.

I wouldn't be able to say for sure what needs to happen here, as it would depend on the account specifics.

However, We have a dedicated bereavement support team who will know exactly the correct thing to do, they are specialists in this area and when you speak to them they'll have all the account details in front of them.

I really hope it's resolved quickly for you.

Helena

antrobus

Computer_Idiot wrote: »

....Their representative said that as I benefited from the usage of the gas I am liable for the amount under the Electricity Act (1997). I can find no such legislation....

They probably meant either Schedule 2B Gas Act 1986 or Schedule 6 Electricity Act 1989 as appropriate - deemed contract with occupier.

Computer_Idiot wrote: »

....So am I liable?

Probably. You can always contact your local CAB and ask them.

JJ_Egan

Having been in a similar position this is what the energy company told me at the time
It basically boils down to Mum died XXX date . Any monies owed are recovered from her estate .
From that date on the occupier is responsible for the usage and that would be a deemed contract .

But i read the OP as you are being held responsible for debts before you where in the deemed contract .

Computer_Idiot

JJ_Egan wrote: »

Having been in a similar position this is what the energy company told me at the time
It basically boils down to Mum died XXX date . Any monies owed are recovered from her estate .
From that date on the occupier is responsible for the usage and that would be a deemed contract .

But i read the OP as you are being held responsible for debts before you where in the deemed contract .

Yes, JJ - they have 'applied' the outstanding amount on my Mum's old account to mine.

matelodave

How did they know that you had been living there before she died

Computer_Idiot

antrobus wrote: »

They probably meant either Schedule 2B Gas Act 1986 or Schedule 6 Electricity Act 1989 as appropriate - deemed contract with occupier.



Probably. You can always contact your local CAB and ask them.

Hello Helena. Yes, they told me I am liable. I am now querying whether I am.

Computer_Idiot

matelodave wrote: »

How did they know that you had been living there before she died

Well, as far as I know, they didn't know when the bill was drawn-up.

But I was asked whether this was the case, last week. I answered that it was.

Capyboppy

Hello Computer Idiot (I feel awful calling you that).

I appreciate this is a very difficult time for you and something I have been through with both parents. However, I am pretty sure you will find the comments about you having to pay will be correct. To give you an example. I am currently living with my husband and all the bills are in my name. For whatever reason I get behind with a bill, or a mistake is made and in the middle of all this I die. My husband like you gets a letter saying he still has to pay the arrears. This would be in order as he had been living at the property and gaining from having the heating and other uses that gas and electric entail. It comes across they are not being awkward but just not really explaining it in plain English. If for example like my situation when my mum was alive, you are living in your property, and mum was in hers a few doors away and the same thing happened; then the utility company would have no alternative but to write it off as mum would have died with no assets to pay. They could not chase you for it as you were not living there. Another example is If your mum had had a long-stay tenant. They would be pursued to pay the arrears as they had been living there and used/had the benefit of the utilities.

Despite this I hope that the Bereavement section will be lenient and understanding in your case. Do let us know how you get on.

JJ_Egan

matelodave wrote: »

How did they know that you had been living there before she died

Thats what i would be saying no i did not live here only popped in to make sure she was ok .
<housing association property > may have your name listed as a resident .

<

Capyboppy

JJ_Egan wrote: »

Thats what i would be saying no i did not live here only popped in to make sure she was ok .
<housing association property > may have your name listed as a resident .

<

Also the Electoral roll possibly.