Co-operative energy

steveog00x

I need some advice if anyone could help me I would be very grateful. My issue is with the co-operative energy, about three years ago I was looking for somewhere to live and I knew a girl who’s housemate had just moved out, so I said I would move in with her and take over her old housemates room. To cut a long story short things didn’t work out and I left there after about 4-5 months. About two years after leaving I get a letter from debt collectors with mine and the girls name on it. I rang them up and it was to do with co-op energy demanding £412 for the time I had lived there. I do admit the time I stayed there I did not pay for any gas or electric, a bill was never sent and when I asked the girl who lived there about it she said she didn’t know who supplied the property and the previous housemate had dealt with that. So as I thought it was fair that I paid the bill and didn’t really want a lot of hassle as I had never taken any meter readings when I left or when I moved in.

Anyway about another year went past and I get another letter from a different debt collectors demanding even more money £460 again with mine and the girls name on it. At first I think it’s a mistake as I was assured that was it the last time I paid them. When I rang up co-op energy they stated that I had only paid half the bill and the original amount was for almost £872. This seemed like a lot of money as it was a tiny mid terrace both of us worked full time. I rang up and asked how they came up with the bill, they said from customer readings from the beginning of January (I moved in the end of jan) and that the meter had been read in about march by a meter reader, then they had estimated the rest based on this.

My complaint to them is I disagree that I owe them what seem to be a ridiculous amount for the time I was there, based upon meter reading I am guessing made by the previous tenant and guess work. I have questioned why I was even named on the account in the first place as I had no contact with them until nearly two years after leaving. I’m not trying to get out of paying bills but I know I didn’t use that much when I lived there for sure. Now there response is my name is on the account so you are responsible we cant help you any more please contact the debt collectors as we are not dealing with the issue anymore.

Does this sound unreasonable to anyone else?

Has anyone any advice?
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