Unpaid bill by previous tenant.

roywidd

Hi,
Yesterday I received a letter from EDF Energy relating to an unpaid electricity bill,it was addressed to a previous tenant of my address,and it was saying that debt collectors will be used.
The bill relates to April 2014.I opened the letter because in the past there have been other debt-related ones for that person.
I moved into this council flat in July 2014,it was empty for 10 months prior to that, whilst being renovated,before moving in I signed up with SSE,and pay by direct debit on paperless billing.
I rang EDF yesterday to explain the situation,but the stroppy person I spoke to was insisting that I am liable for the debt,where do I stand on this?I have contacted SSE to ask them to pass on proof that I have an account with them.
On doing some research last night,I see that the previous tenant passed away in January 2014,but he had left here around September 2013.Advice please...

dogshome

Hmm, bit of a pickle.
If EDF were the registered supplier to your address, then you were duty bound to report your occupancy to them when you moved in, and give them the meter readings.
Only when they had set up an account in your name, can you move to another supplier

All is not lost however, send EDF a copy of your rental agreement and the meter read on the date you moved in - This will dispose of the problem of the earlier debt.

Technically you owe EDF for energy used from the date you moved in, but if they insist on this, SSE will have to repay to you any money you have paid to them

roywidd

Thanks for that.I set up my account with SSE before I moved in when the council formally offered me the property.There was nothing on the meter,or any paperwork etc to say EDF was the supplier,therefore I didn't know.
Apparently the unpaid bill is for 2012 to 2014,but before i moved in.I have no idea of the meter reading on my move in date.

trickytree1963

roywidd wrote: »

Thanks for that.I set up my account with SSE before I moved in .I have no idea of the meter reading on my move in date.

What meter reading did SSE start you on?

roywidd

I have no way of knowing what the reading was,perhaps SSE have it and could give it to me if needed?

roywidd

Sorry I have no idea.My account is all done online and with paperless billing.
I've looked at previous bills there but they only show as far back as 2016.
I'll wait for the reply to the mail I sent to SSE regarding this problem,then take it from there.

roywidd

I've now managed to find the reading I sent to SSE when I moved in,it was on the email I sent them on 30th July 2014.
What do I need to do now with that reading please?

trickytree1963

roywidd wrote: »

I've now managed to find the reading I sent to SSE when I moved in,it was on the email I sent them on 30th July 2014.
What do I need to do now with that reading please?

All is not lost however, send EDF a copy of your rental agreement and the meter read on the date you moved in - This will dispose of the problem of the earlier debt. As SSE billed you from that date and that read

roywidd

I'll try to find my tenancy agreement-maybe I can get a copy from the Council-and then send it and the meter reading to EDF.
Thank you so much for your advice,it's greatly appreciated.

roywidd

Well,what a result!Have spoken today to Tracey at EDF,and explained it all in detail.
She said that as the property was empty-apart from council workmen/contractors renovating it-from September 2013 until I took over the flat in July 2014,it's the council who are liable for the outstanding amount,not me.And I should ignore any further letters from EDF.
Thank you everyone who helped me with this.

Robisere

roywidd wrote: »

Well,what a result!Have spoken today to Tracey at EDF,and explained it all in detail.
She said that as the property was empty-apart from council workmen/contractors renovating it-from September 2013 until I took over the flat in July 2014,it's the council who are liable for the outstanding amount,not me.And I should ignore any further letters from EDF.
Thank you everyone who helped me with this.

As a long-term EDF customer, that does not surprise me. Throughout several changes in heating and meters, I had some problems with bill amounts. After research, then pointing out the results to EDF, they not only fixed the problems, but gave me compensation and contacted the meter company on my behalf, to get me more compensation from them. I won't switch whilst I have customer service like that, which is more important to me than trying to save a few quid. And yes, I know it's a money-saving website!