EDF Warrant Woes

OBIWAN

Hi, I'm being chased by EDF for an outstanding electricity account. I live with my girlfriend in France and so rent out a room in my London flat to a lodger. All of the bills are in my name but I had given the lodger the account details so that they can make payments for the utilities they use.
Recently I'd been having problems with the lodger paying (they were behind on rent) so came back to London last week to oversee a change of tenant. A day or so after I got back there was a knock on the door from 2 large blokes from EDF, waving a warrant and threatening to install a prepayment meter. When I checked it turned out that lodger also hadn't paid electric bill for months and there was a bill of almost £1000.


EDF are adamant that they want to install a prepayment meter, but I don't want one installed as i'm now renting the flat out under an assured shorthold tenancy agreement and I don't want the tenant forced to use EDF or a prepayment meter.

Ive tried speaking to different managers at EDF to make suitable arrangements to pay it off in large instalments to clear the backlog, but they aren't interested in negociating and are still insisting on a prepayment meter. This seems stupid because my offer will clear the debt in 6 months, whereas their plan will take 4 years and they are totally unwilling to see logic.


Ive told them that I don't live in the property and that it's rented out to a new tenant, but they are intransigent. My biggest worry is that the tenant will return home one day and find that EDF have forced entry to their home and threatened their security. A side issue is the delicacy of the situation since I don't want to be seen to be an unreliable landlord and causing my tenants problems.


I am totally frustrated and at my wits end with EDF. Does anyone have any advice on this please?

Bluebirdman_of_Alcathays

Yes - pay it off immediately. Your logic is flawed - you are promising to pay them in 6 months, whereas with a PPM they are guaranteed the money. Considering you've promised them payment in the past, and not paid (your 3rd party dispute with your tenant is not of EDF's concern), you can begin to see their logic.


It may seem harsh, but the meter belongs to edf and not you, so the easiest course of action is to pay in full, immediately, if you want to avoid the hassles with the new tenant that you mention.

Cornucopia

I'm not a fan of the "be nasty to the OP" style that we sometimes see here, but in this case, I agree with BlueBirdMan.

You have 2 choices: pay in full, now, or go with whatever EDF want.

Letting tenants do anything other than manage their own utilities with suppliers directly is a bad idea.

OBIWAN

Thanks for the quick replies, I didn't perceive either of them as "nasty".


I totally accept liability for the debt and would quite gladly pay it off in one hit but I don't have the means just yet, not helped by missing a few months rent.


Maybe a bit naïve but the reason I had the utilities in my name is because I was only renting a room to a lodger and was keeping a room at the flat for use when I came back to UK. The situation has changed and I dont live at the flat, I let it out totally and the new tenant has a lease.


I appreciate that the meter belongs to EDF but my question is: is the debt in my name or the property? If so, it would seem counterproductive for EDF to install a prepayment meter as the new tenant may not even choose EDF as their supplier.


Thanks again.

Cornucopia

The debt will be in your name, and it looks like EDF are working on the assumption that the account at the address is going to remain in your name for the time being.

I would guess that if the address changes name, then EDF will have no choice but to offer you payment terms directly, without a loading on the PPM. Your tenant could then request removal of the PPM.

My best guess based on previous experience with Utilities and tenants.

[Deleted User]

Let them fit the prepayment meters. Don t let the next tenant do the same as the last one.Many tenants see credit meters as meaning its free energy for as long as they can get away with it. EDF are one of the better reliable suppliers and every other supplier would be adamant in force fitting prepays if you were not compliant in allowing them access.The warrant and locksmiths charges would only add to the debt.Stick with EDF, I believe they operate an online top up method so prepays are not that bad except the prices are higher on standard/variable.If you really do want to get rid of EDF at least go to EON where they will credit check the new tenants on credit meters

Former_E.ON_Company_Representative:_Malc

sacsquacco wrote: »

EON where they will credit check the new tenants on credit meters

That's right sacsquacco. We ask to check the credit rating of customers joining us with credit meters. This is an external check through a credit reference agency like Equifax. We look at information shared by other companies to make sure we offer a suitable payment arrangement. The search will appear on credit files but only applications for credit count towards credit scores.

Malc