First Utility chasing for previous owner unpaid bills

mjwraw

I moved into a new property in April 2014, and rang First Utility to let them know immediately, including meter readinsg on the day I moved in, and then arranged to switch to Ovo. This took a few weeks and I rang through with the new meter readings at the correct time. A month or two later I started getting bills addressed to 'Mr Owner Occupier' for unpaid bills stretching back into 2013, (i.e. long before I bought the property). I rang them at the time and they promised to send out a revised bill for only the few weeks when they were my supplier. This of course never happened.

Now, two years later, the letters have started again, still addressed to 'Mr Owner Occupier', and still demanding payment of the full amount (£300+), but now also threatening to put this in the hands of their debt collection agency. Given the length of time that's elapsed, and that these letters are not even addressed to me personnally, can I just bin them ?

D_M_E

The first thing is to STOP contacting them by phone.

Copy one of the bills and WRITE to First Utility and head your letter COMPLAINT in big bold letters.

Enclose the copy of the bill and tell them the date you moved in - and the meter readings if you still have them - and point out to them that you did in fact have an account with them from your move in date until the date you switched.

Include the fact that it's not your bill but a bill run up by the previous occupier and you want attempted collection to stop.

Also keep handy proof which shows when you moved in - proof which you can show to the debt collectors when they eventually show up.

mjwraw

Thanks, and to be honest I'm not sure they formally acknowledged that I had an account with them i.e. I never received any information giving an account number, nor any correspondence addressed to me. I have never disputed with them that I do owe some money for the few weeks we were with them, and have always said that as soon as they furnish me with a bill for that I'll pay immediately, but that has never been forthcoming.

Anyhow, I've just had a call from their 'Executive Resolution' team (amazing what copying them in on a mail to the Ombudsman can do !), and they've promised to 'fully investigate my complaint in the shortest possible time' so lets see what they come back with now.

Alex444

Writing a letter is something FU don't do, told them a year ago that all contact should be in writing and sent recorded delivery, since then nothing. Now into year 5 with them as my supplier, still waiting on a bill, I believe that I have a valid mis-selling complaint against them and they know it.:)

helenbow

i moved 15months ago, first utility phoned this morning & they said we owed them £ 150 from our last house, Very strange as they sent us a refund of £150 as we had paid too much, so how can we owe them money. something strange going on.