Black mark on mt credit file due to unpaid bill from old tenants

HLG

Today i decided to have a look at my Experian credit report. I am in the process of applying for jobs and know that sometimes companies have a look at your credit file in their personal checks so thought it a good idea to get ahead of the game.....

It turns out that there is just one black mark on my file, which has lowered my score from good, to fair. Having a closer look it appears that this is due to an unpaid British Gas bill back in 2012. Its a bit complicated so please keep reading before jumping to conclusions!

I own a property, but had tenants in the property between 2009 and 2012. I used a property management company to find the tenants, do reference and credit checks on the tenants and then collect the rent each month. But i had repeated problems with this company, they never paid me the rent on time and often lost the money by paying it into the wrong account! So in May 2012 i had enough, i asked the property management company to give the tenants notice and planned to move into the house myself instead of renting my house elsewhere.

It took a while but on 28/8/12 i finally managed to collect the keys from the property management company, and for the first time in years gained access to my house. Luckily the tenants hadn't trashed the place, but i found one outstanding bill from British Gas dated 14/7/12. It was for £213.46 and stated they had contacted me several times regarding the outstanding balance for the gas i used. The letter was addressed to me, not the tenants. Back in my old rented property i used Scottish Power and was up to date with all payments to them.

So i called British Gas, explained that i had only just gained entry into the property as the tenants had moved out (2 days before) and explained that the outstanding bill must relate to them. The guy on the phone was very nice, and said the bill would be written off. (I keep a note of all calls, This guy said his name was Aman and i called at 3.07pm!)

Anyways i then received a letter 15/9 welcoming me to my new home and asking for my meter readings, which i provided the same day. I set up my direct debits ready to pay my gas and electricity each month.

A few days later, on 20/9 i received two letters from Past Due Credit Solutions, These were sent to the property management company on 12/9 and then forwarded to me. It was for the outstanding payment of £213.46 for Gas and £36.23 for Electricity which i was unaware of prior to receiving that letter. I phoned this company and made an immediate payment for both outstanding balances as i didn't want bailiffs turning up on my doorstep! Looking back i should have contacted British Gas again and spoke to them about the situation, especially after my conversation with Aman on 28/8/12 but i was going through a horrible divorce and had other things on my mind.

So, now i really want these outstanding payments to British Gas removing from my credit file. I can prove that i wasn't resident at the property at the time the bills relate to, i haven't had any other outstanding payments to any other companies at any time in my life so i'm really peeved that i've got this against my file. I'm late chasing it all up but i had no reason to think i'd have a problem with my credit history.

Does anybody have any advice regarding what steps i should take? I've sent a long winded message to British Gas explaining the situation but not sure if they'll be helpful or if they can do anything about the situation. I'll be really peeved if i'm not able to get the job i want especially when its not my flipping bill in the first place! I've never missed a payment for anything, ever! Luckily i do keep pretty good notes and keep every bill and letter filed away.

Thank you all x