Backdated gas bill - who is responsible?

CashStrapped

footyguy wrote: »

Doesn't mnake sense really, as (a) if the previous tenant did transfer the utilitites, they would have contacted the relevant suppliers and given a closing meter reading or (b) the OP would have asked where the gas utility account was when all the other accounts were transferred. (as presumably the OP was well aware the property had a gas supply)

When I asked the OP seemed to clarify, it seemed that this pertained to the electricity supplied by EDF only. Hence the OP started looking into it at a later stage. Which is why I do not see how the OP should be the only person that should take on the liability of whatever debt SSE produce.

The OP is not the only person who has been using this gas. So, at the moment, as no one has an account with SSE individually, they may all be liable.

All I am saying is, the OP needs to clarify what SSE intend to do without becoming solely responsible. The OP has been the unfortunate/responsible person in that they have worked out something was wrong. That should not mean they should be solely responsible for an error that was in existence before they moved in.

You also have the further problem of dividing up old debt. Some tenants may have moved in recently. While previous, more responsible tenants, have left. The OP should not have to take an unfair burden of owed debt (nor should the new tenants) when others have left.

So, it is a more complicated situation than first appears.

I would look to maybe agree to take on the debt from when you took over the electric utility. SSE may be able to estimate usage from that time.

Either-way, I would be looking for a reduction in the calculated debt at the very least.

Have SSE got back to you at all with regard to what you may or may not owe? What is the status of the situation now?

supernova2029

They asked me to email them my tenancy agreement so they can establish when I moved in and bill accordingly. I told them I would like to take some advice before I proceeded any further.

footyguy

supernova2029 wrote: »

Hi footguy,

I don't believe the gas has ever been paid for this property. When the house was converted into flats it seems my gas meter was registered with the property downstarirs and it has stayed that way ever since, with gas being supplied but no bills being paid.

So when the previous tenants transferred utilities to me I started receiving a bill from EDF which myself and the new tenants began to pay. It wasn't until much later (admittedly my fault) that I noticed that I was only being billed for electricity.

A year ago when I called SSE they told me that they were not the supplier, and they were still telling me this right up until this week.

If SSE agree with you over this claim, or you can otherwise prove it to SEE, I'm sure they will look sympathetically at the matter. - You might get say a £20 ex-gratia, goodwill credit
If you are really lucky, they may agree to a different tariff effective from when you first contacted them and they denied they were your supplier.

But the fact you were being supplied for at least a year before you even attempted to contact SSE may result in them not being too accommodating

footyguy

supernova2029 wrote: »

They asked me to email them my tenancy agreement so they can establish when I moved in and bill accordingly. I told them I would like to take some advice before I proceeded any further.

Then you need to obtain such advice - the internet is not the place to seek such advice, especially on a forum with anonymous users.

The CAB will be able top provide you with details of local solicitors if necessary who will be able to provide such advice.

Good luck!

Cardew

Seems to be yet another case of large house converted into flats and gas, electricity and water not sorted out. - and council tax?

With Water, sometimes all flats pay, or just one.

supernova2029

All other bills are fine, only gas is the problem.

Ms_Chocaholic

But if the OP's meter had been assigned elsewhere then the bills produced from that meter usage have been paid by the resident downstairs. Am I reading that correctly? If that's the case, the amount owed to SSE won't be huge but the resident may have a claim against the OP/former residents.

supernova2029

No I don't think the downstairs flat has paid the bills, although I presume he was receiving some kind of paper bill. My guess is that the bill was addressed to someone else and he hasn't opened them so wasnt aware that there were two meters registered at his flat.

Cardew

supernova2029 wrote: »

All other bills are fine, only gas is the problem.

How do you know?

If someone wasn't paying for Water or Council Tax(or even gas/electricity) would they volunteer that information?

supernova2029

I am specifically talking about my situation when I say all other bills are fine. I'm not going to start to speculate or worry about if the other flats are paying their bills or not.