Utilita expect me to pay previous tenant’s debts.

Cardew

TheAlcibiades wrote: »

Did complain to Utilita and they have totally dismissed the complaint and told me to pay the previous tenant’s debt again. Lol.

IMO it is highly unlikely that any Utility company would tell you 'to pay the previous tenant's bill'. To do so would be to admit that the debt is not your responsibility.

It is very common for tenants to vacate a property without settling their final bill. In that case, unless the new tenant or letting agent has informed Utilita of the meter readings on the day you took over the property it is impossible for Utilita to determine how the bill should be apportioned.

So, as asked above, when did you contact Utilita with your meter readings?

TheAlcibiades

This has still gone on; have sent them the tenancy agreement and a letter by the landlord, and yet they still will not budge saying they will not unlock the account until the debt is paid and they will not allow any top up until the debt is paid- am now escalating it as this is obscene.

TheAlcibiades

When you have a letter by your landlord stating that you are not the person who lived there previously and they still refuse to accept it because they want £19 it’s questionable, ethically.

Money_Grabber13579

Is this really an argument over a £19 debt? I know there is a principle at stake however, if it is preventing a move to a different supplier or to a more suitable tariff, I know what I would do...

Norman_Castle

TheAlcibiades wrote: »

This has still gone on; have sent them the tenancy agreement and a letter by the landlord, and yet they still will not budge saying they will not unlock the account until the debt is paid and they will not allow any top up until the debt is paid- am now escalating it as this is obscene.

TheAlcibiades wrote: »

When you have a letter by your landlord stating that you are not the person who lived there previously and they still refuse to accept it because they want £19 it’s questionable, ethically.

They clearly think you owe this money based on the information you have given them. Did you provide meter readings taken on the day you moved in?

Describing this as unethical and obscene is absurd.

Dobbibill

TheAlcibiades wrote: »

Hi there, I recently moved in to a new place and have contacted the energy supplier, Utilita, to take over the accounts. The previous tenant seems to have been in debt. Anyway Utilita will not let me switch providers or go on a zero standing charge tariff unless I pay the previous tenant’s debts.

If this is the wording you used with Utilita, this may be why they want you to settle the debt. You do not 'take over' someone else's account. You contact them and begin an account with your opening meter readings.
One could argue they could have been more proactive when speaking to you and set it up correctly in your own name but this may be why you are having so many problems OP.

I hope you get to the bottom of it.

House_Martin

Even if you provided meter readings and did not even use any energy you will be responsible for the daily standing charges .If you agreed a tenancy date but did nt move in for a few weeks you could have £19 debt on standing charges build up which you owed before you moved in.
If there is a gap between the last tenants tenancy and yours then the daily standing charges should fall to the landlord. It could be the landlord who owes this £19. Its rare for a property to go from one tenant to another without a gap.
This £19 may not be the last tenants debt. Prepayment meters usually show "debt " on a different screen from a "debit " on standing charges
Utilita use Secure Liberty meters .You will find instructions for the meter on Utilita website I expect

FestiveJoy

TheAlcibiades wrote: »

This has still gone on; have sent them the tenancy agreement and a letter by the landlord, and yet they still will not budge saying they will not unlock the account until the debt is paid and they will not allow any top up until the debt is paid- am now escalating it as this is obscene.

They cannot make you pay it. The debt is not yours. Tell them to start you with a new account of your own, with a balance of zero. Once you have an account set up you will be free to move away.

They cannot make you pay somebody else' debt, so remind them of that. Don't budge, they are just trying their luck to see if you are an easy target.

Enjoy the festive season. Oh, I see you are certainly making the most of it, burning the midnight oil. Make the most of it, because if you are now unable to top up, once it's gone, it's gone!


:xmastree::xmastree::xmastree:


I wonder why they've done that? Usually they like customers in debt topping up their meters as they claw back the debt that way....

FestiveJoy

House_Martin wrote: »

... Its rare for a property to go from one tenant to another without a gap....

During which time, it would be the landlords responsibilty.