They're chasing me........

Claire_Morris

Hi all,

I'm new to the forums, apologies in advance! I am being chased by a debt company who state I owe Spark Energy for an old debt of £1500. I was once a landlady of a property. When my tenants moved out, the letting agent allegedly gave my details to Spark. I have never heard of them, certainly never signed a contract - nothing. My soon to be ex husband moved back into the property (we were joint owners of it but only I was named on the rental agreements) Do I owe this company the money, even though I've never heard of them and he lived there, just didn't tell anyone?


Many thanks, Claire

Robin9

Is part of this debt from the tenants ?

When they moved out you (or letting agents) give readings to their supplier. You will then be on a deemed contract . You wouldn't have had to sign anything.

You might be able to argue the tenants part of the £1500 but not since you / ex husband were the occupiers. You do have readings don't you.

molerat

Your agent would have signed the tenants up to Spark because they get a kickback for doing so. When the tenant left the owner became responsible for the energy bills for the property, as Spark were the incumbent supplier you were on a legally enforceable deemed contract with them. The new tenant - be it the owner or renter - should have informed Spark that they had taken up occupancy. Have you told them who the tenant was ? What are the dates for this bill ?

Claire_Morris

Hi, thank you both

With your info I have spoken to the debt company. I have explained the issue with my soon-to-be-ex and the fact that he should have told Spark when he moved in, but he didn't. They are listening now! They cannot confirm if it will work, but they are trying to find my ex (he's gone into hiding since he left the house) I don't have the actual readings that were applicable to him, because he didn't say he was moving in, or for that matter when he moved out!! However fortunately I found out he was there (by chance, thankfully I had great neighbours) so I sent the council round as I was only paying tax for the house as unoccupied, and didn't want to get into trouble. They know he was there, with his partner.

So the upshot is, I may still be responsible, BUT at least the debt company is listening. Cannot thank you enough - even if I don't win, I feel listened to

[Deleted User]

Spark Would only be able to act as the owners agent with their permission via a letting agent..
Maybe it was buried away in the letting agents small print when you took them on ?
Lettings Agencies do a good job in automatically switching new prepayment meter tenants to use Spark Energy who are much cheaper than the usual big six for prepayment meters .
They are not so cheap on credit meter tariffs
I don t think it would make any difference in which supplier was involved. The same result would happen when any tenant disappeared without informing suppliers.
Your problem lies with the lettings agents IMO.. The word "allegedly " needs to be proven first also.

Claire_Morris

Hi Houbara,

The letting agents have been taken over. It was a credit meter, hence the ridiculous charges. I'm not their number one fan, but in fairness to said agent, they had no clue he was in there either - he had his own key (we both owned the property) and simply let himself in. The agents are the initial culprits imho, but the ex caused most of the trouble - if the property was empty, the charges would have been minimal, or at least much less. I'm attempting to get further details from the agents (they are now part of Your Move, this may take some time). If they wrote this saga in a soap opera most people would say it was unbelievable......