Housing association/landlord not paying debt?

ChrisDA95

Hello,

Apologies if this is in the wrong board. I moved into a flat a few months ago in which the previous tenant had a debt with Npower, since I moved in I have received continuous letters sent to my address fron Npower demanding that the debt is paid back. I spoke to my housing officer who told me they (Housing Association) will deal with it, but still I received these letters, I was told the same thing several times. Now, as of last month, Npower have passed it on to a debt collection agency. Today I received a 2nd letter from them and now I am becoming increasingly worried they might take action by going to court. I'm angry, despite many assurances that they will deal with it, the HA clearly don't a give a damn about not paying, and I am the one that has to put up with the nonsense from Npower and this debt collection agency.

What do I do in this situation?

fed_up_and_stressed

Nothing -the debt is nothing to do with you. Properties aren't blacklisted. As long as the supplier knows you are residing there and they have your account in your name its nothing to do with you or the housing association.

Just put mail back in the post return to sender addressee no longer lives here. If debt collectors do turn up (although you don't have to) just show them your id and tenancy agreement to prove you aren't the debtor they are chasing and they will go away.

Lokolo

Make sure you have proof that you are now the resident of the address. When the debt collectors come, show a council tax bill or something to show that the previous debtors no longer live at the property.

Norman_Castle

If you haven’t already done so contact Npower and explain the debt is not yours and tell them the date you got the tenancy.
The HA are not responsible for doing this regardless of what they say. Dealing with Npower will be more productive than wasting your time with the HA.

Npower/Customer service
0800 073 3000

ChrisDA95

Thanks for the replies everyone. I contacted Npower beginning of Jan and told them I am not the tenant responsible for the debt. They told to pass the letters over to the HA, the HA said they receive copies of the letters they send to me and that they will sort it out. My concerns are just the ways things are going, they might take it to court and/or bailiffs may get involved. Also seems unfair that the HA keep telling me they will "sort it out", but clearly they aren't sorting it out..

Cheeky_Monkey

ChrisDA95 wrote: »

Thanks for the replies everyone. I contacted Npower beginning of Jan and told them I am not the tenant responsible for the debt. They told to pass the letters over to the HA, the HA said they receive copies of the letters they send to me and that they will sort it out. My concerns are just the ways things are going, they might take it to court and/or bailiffs may get involved. Also seems unfair that the HA keep telling me they will "sort it out", but clearly they aren't sorting it out..

So what if they do. It's got nothing to do with you and in the event that the bailiffs do come knocking at your door, as you have already been advised, you simply have to show the relevant proof that it's not your debt

csgohan4

I get these all the time for the past 2 years I have moved house, just keep returning them in the post. Worse case scenario bailiffs come, as long as you have ID and bills in your name your cleared.

I did call once, wanted me to send them the proof of ownership. Couldn't be bothered after that, they can pay 3 pounds for LR checks. Was Co operative energy, didn't like the onus on me to prove it wasn't me. Their money if they want to waste on debt collection.

parkrunner

Let them take you to court. If you have proof that the bill is for a previous tenant and that you informed Npower of this then you have nothing to worry about.

Marktheshark

Who did you pay for Energy now ?
When did you start paying ?

fed_up_and_stressed

parkrunner wrote: »

Let them take you to court. If you have proof that the bill is for a previous tenant and that you informed Npower of this then you have nothing to worry about.

They wouldn't take the OP to court as long as they pay their own bill they would take the person named for the debt (ie the ex tenant to court).

Heather2603

Why are you opening these letters? They are surely addressed to the debtor? All you have to do is keep returning them and making sure you are paying your energy bills. If a bailiff turns up you tell them you are not the named person and show them id. Job done.