Tenant left Unpaid Energy Bills

Al_Ross

I had a flat let out to a guy, all the bills were in his name.

He left quickly didn't give me notice etc,but thats not my issue ,I was glad to see the back of him. I had his mobile number and texted him for a forwarding address which he wouldn't give me.

When he moved I contacted Scottish Gas to give my start meter reading for the gas and electric suuply. I asked if he had given them final readings. He had, although not very accurate. I also arranged to make all my payments by D.D.

Various bills addressed to him, including his final gas and electric bill kept arriving at the flat. Also various other companies chasing him for money even a court summons, all were returned to sender marked moved away.

3 months down the line the line I changed energy supplier. All went smoothly, final Scottish Gas bills arrived all fine and taken from my D.D

I now have new tenants in and a bill has just arrived at the property from Scottish Gas, not addressed to the old tenant but to the current occupier. This is the previous tenant’s final 3 month bills, one for his gas and one for his electric. The period is up to the date he moved out. The total amount he is due them is roughly £175.

The bills also say "We have closed your account as someone else is now living at the property"

What should I do with these bills? Ignore them as they are not named for anyone. Or contact Scottish Gas again and explain I do not have a forwarding address for the guy and possible land having them send the bills to me.

I presume they have been unable to locate the old tenant, what are they liable to do next?

Jonesya

I'd contact Scottish gas otherwise they'll continue to send them and may escalate further.

footyguy

Al_Ross wrote: »

I had a flat let out to a guy, all the bills were in his name.

He left quickly didn't give me notice etc,but thats not my issue ,I was glad to see the back of him. I had his mobile number and texted him for a forwarding address which he wouldn't give me.

When he moved I contacted Scottish Gas to give my start meter reading for the gas and electric suuply. I asked if he had given them final readings. He had, although not very accurate. I also arranged to make all my payments by D.D.

Various bills addressed to him, including his final gas and electric bill kept arriving at the flat. Also various other companies chasing him for money even a court summons, all were returned to sender marked moved away.

3 months down the line the line I changed energy supplier. All went smoothly, final Scottish Gas bills arrived all fine and taken from my D.D

I now have new tenants in and a bill has just arrived at the property from Scottish Gas, not addressed to the old tenant but to the current occupier. This is the previous tenant’s final 3 month bills, one for his gas and one for his electric. The period is up to the date he moved out. The total amount he is due them is roughly £175.

The bills also say "We have closed your account as someone else is now living at the property"

What should I do with these bills? Ignore them as they are not named for anyone. Or contact Scottish Gas again and explain I do not have a forwarding address for the guy and possible land having them send the bills to me.

I presume they have been unable to locate the old tenant, what are they liable to do next?

Ignore it. If there is no name on the bill, it cannot be enforced.

(I'm surprised the name of the debtor is not on the bill - the supplier obviously knows it)

Al_Ross

Okay, update, I spoke to Scottish Gas earlier today. I had two tenants in the flat and the energy must have been in both their names. One moved out in June and one in October. The information they had on their system was both had moved out in June. So I informed them this was incorrect as the latter had moved out in October.

They now have put in his name to the bill and they also asked for his mobile number. Unfortunately though, the bill will get sent to the flat address.

Scottish Gas informed me I have nothing to worry about but I can see this dragging for some considerable time yet.

GingerBob_3

Al_Ross wrote: »

Okay, update, I spoke to Scottish Gas earlier today. I had two tenants in the flat and the energy must have been in both their names. One moved out in June and one in October. The information they had on their system was both had moved out in June. So I informed them this was incorrect as the latter had moved out in October.

They now have put in his name to the bill and they also asked for his mobile number. Unfortunately though, the bill will get sent to the flat address.

Scottish Gas informed me I have nothing to worry about but I can see this dragging for some considerable time yet.

I hope you didn't give them any of your details?