Just got keys. Help!

Burdon_Gorns

I just got the keys, fortunately we dont have to move today because we havent got electricity in the new house yet. Turns out that OH didnt inform scottish power when he was supposed to but it's ok we have out rental property for the rest of the month.

BUT I was rooting about in the new house and found what appears to be a prepayment elec meter...thing. With a £190 debt on it?!

And also, this property was previously rented out, and there are a pile of letters presumably to the previous occupants about debt recovery (tv licence, car tax, and sky tv)

So my questions are, how do we make sure none of these companies send baliffs round? We're FTB so we've never experienced this before.

Also, are we going to be able to get rid of that prepayment meter? Our survey never mentioned anything about it.

Thanks.

HappyMJ

Contact the supplier and get a new prepayment key. That'll start the meter at zero and stop any weekly deductions.

Bailiffs/Debt Collectors/Enforcement Agents may visit. You just show them your drivers licence proving you aren't the debtor and they'll leave. You don't have to show them ID but it'll make it loads easier just showing them some ID to get rid of them.

pinkteapot

Debt recovery etc - don't worry. Debts go with a person, not an address so it won't affect you and your credit ratings. When I get these letters for previous owners/tenants, I just phone the company that sent it and tell them the person has moved and I don't have a forwarding address. That's always stopped the letters for me and no-one ever came round. Alternative is to write "Not known at this address" on the envelope and drop it back in the post unopened.

Guest101

Burdon_Gorns wrote: »

I just got the keys, fortunately we dont have to move today because we havent got electricity in the new house yet. Turns out that OH didnt inform scottish power when he was supposed to but it's ok we have out rental property for the rest of the month. - Just phone them whenever you're ready to move in.

BUT I was rooting about in the new house and found what appears to be a prepayment elec meter...thing. With a £190 debt on it?! - Standing charges most likely. Just phone them and explain you've just purchased the property. If you switch provider, tell them you need a new meter.

And also, this property was previously rented out, and there are a pile of letters presumably to the previous occupants about debt recovery (tv licence, car tax, and sky tv) - Not your bills. Throw them away.

So my questions are, how do we make sure none of these companies send baliffs round? We're FTB so we've never experienced this before. - Makes no difference whether you own or rent. Even if they do, it's not your debt.

Also, are we going to be able to get rid of that prepayment meter? Our survey never mentioned anything about it.

Thanks.

Good luck!!

thesaint

Burdon_Gorns wrote: »

Also, are we going to be able to get rid of that prepayment meter? Our survey never mentioned anything about it.

Thanks.

Yes, you can get a credit meter fitted.

Some companies charge, so if your current supplier charges, then swap suppliers to one that doesn't, and then get them to change the meter for free.

Burdon_Gorns

Thanks everyone. Can't tell you how relieved I am!

p00hsticks

Guest101 wrote: »

- Not your bills. Throw them away.

Personally, i'd mark them 'no longer at this address - return to sender' and put them back in the post box. That might stop follow up letters arriving, which just throwing them away won't.

fashionvictim

Get on the electoral roll asap and change your driving license address.

Mossfarr

Don't just throw the letters away or they will continue sending final demands. Best advice is to phone the companies and advise them that (from whichever date) you are the new owner. They will probably ask if you have a forwarding address for the previous tenant - if you have it, give it to them.
They will stop sending letters but after a period of time they will pass the debts to a debt recovery agency and the letters will start again. This process can go on for years - my daughter still gets debt recovery letters after 6 years in her house - no bailiffs have ever called at the house though! She just throws the letters in the bin now.
Don't worry about the letters at all - its a bit irritating but you can not be held responsible for the previous occupants debts.

Yolina

When I bought my place, it was also previously rented out and the last tenant seemed to owe quite a few people money (and obviously no forwarding address) What I did was:
- Anything with a return address I sent back with "no longer at this address";
- Anything without a return address I opened and contacted the companies concerned.

Took several months, but eventually all the letters stopped coming

Marvel1

I bouht house, letters from previous tenent, Return to Sender on envelope and back in post box (does help post box end of my street). Letters stopped.