LCS Debt w/ Multiple Tenants

Archieguy

Hello guys,

Hopefully you can help me. I have received a letter from LCS Debt Recovery regarding an unpaid utility bill over a period of three years. For clarity, this is the first and only time I have ever received any form of communication from either party, including that of the energy supplier or my existing landlord.

To begin with, I never at any point created an account or had any correspondence with the energy supplier. Additionally, the time-frame of which the letter claims I lived in the property is inaccurate by almost 1 and a half years. The letter is also very limited in providing information; no amount for outstanding balance is stated, just simply that they are 'investigating' and suspect me to be the user of the utility.

Here lies the problem - over the two year period of usage of the utility, five different tenants were registered as living at the property. As such, we signed a joint tenancy agreement saying that the tenants (collectively) were responsible for the payment of bills.

To my knowledge and enquiries, I am the only person to receive this letter. I imagine for one reason or another my existing landlord has essentially just forwarded my name on and no one else's. Where do I stand with this? I haven't spoken to LCS yet and was looking for some advice before I do.

Evidently, we have all long since moved out of this property and dispersed, equating to well over a year ago since the final move out date.

Thanks a lot for your help!

Kind regards,

~A

Shakin_Steve

Someone may correct me,but....I think utility bills are treated the same as council tax etc. That is, if they can't get hold of all of the debtors, any one will do, and be liable. You say you all signed collectively, but you may find something that says 'collectively or singly'.

Archieguy

Thanks for your reply. I never signed anything regarding a bill or whatnot- just my tenancy agreement. I'm pretty sure that I am the only one who has been contacted; it's not all my debt to pay

Shakin_Steve

Sorry, Archie, but you said you signed an agreement to be jointly liable for the untilities?

Archieguy

The tenancy agreement states:

The Tenant, referring to collectively all names on the agreement, will be liable to pay household utility bills.

No use of the phrasing 'collectively or singly'

Thanks

fatbelly

the time-frame of which the letter claims I lived in the property is inaccurate by almost 1 and a half years.

This is the important point

You can write back saying

'I was not resident between the specified dates and therefore regret that I am unable to assist you in your enquiries.'

LCS feature regularly on these boards, for example

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/2983648

Archieguy

Thanks for your reply fatbelly. I was a resident there for part of it however, so would that not change things?

Shakin_Steve

I'm a bit confused. Are you saying that you only lived there for six months of the period, so the othe 1.5 years is someone else's bill? Or are you saying that you never lived there during that period?

fatbelly

Archieguy wrote: »

Thanks for your reply fatbelly. I was a resident there for part of it however, so would that not change things?

No, don't help them.

Have a look at the other thread

Archieguy

Apologies if there was some confusion. The bill is for 3 years, I lived there (alongside other joint tenants) for 1 and a half of that 3 year period that I stated on the letter.

Shakin_Steve

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/energy/energy-supply/problems-with-your-energy-bill/find-out-if-youre-responsible-for-paying-an-energy-bill/