Not being allowed to switch

zakershah

Hello, I recently took over the bills at my address. I managed to change the details for the water to myself without any problems. However, when it came to the gas and electricity, that's where the problems began. I have lived at my current address for over 20 years with my 2 brothers and family. The bills were in my older brothers name, he emigrated to Turkey a few years ago and I continued to give him my board money to cover the bills. He advised me to get the supplies under my name. I decided to contact a few suppliers and decided to go with British Gas. When I contacted EDF (our current supplier), it seems that my brother had not paid the bills since January 2018! I told them that I was taking over from 1 November 2019 and would be the new customer and offered to pay the bill from 1 Nov 2019 to the date it went to BG. Since then, BG have not been able to move me for the electricity but the gas went through ok. Despite contacting EDF and originally been told that I could pay for the period I mentioned earlier, I have since been told I can't do that. Not sure what I should do now?

Gerry1

Tell your brother to settle his debts PDQ and get you out of the mess he's dropped you in?

dogshome

The problem is that as a long established, adult member of the household,
EDF consider that you and the other adults are " Jointly & Severally Liable"


It's common enough in student households - If the named account holder defaults on the bills or moves out leaving debt, the energy company have the right to go after each and every other member of the household

pallyman

So you have used the energy ,If you paid your brother get the money of him but it is sill you who has been living at the house using the energy so one of you needs to pay.

[Deleted User]

dogshome wrote: »

The problem is that as a long established, adult member of the household,
EDF consider that you and the other adults are " Jointly & Severally Liable"


It's common enough in student households - If the named account holder defaults on the bills or moves out leaving debt, the energy company have the right to go after each and every other member of the household

I m not sure if that is correct..A quick browse through Eons T/c s it states that only people who have entered into a contract with us are "jointly and severally " liable for billing purposes.
We have had this question on here dozens of times over the years. Possibly different suppliers have their own take on their T/c s.
I can t see how any supplier can push for money owed to someone else living in the property who is nt named as account holder..

Slinky

Pay the bill and get the money back off your brother.

badmemory

Slinky wrote: »

Pay the bill and get the money back off your brother.

Or are his debts why he has moved abroad. Leaving the OP to deal with the fallout.

zakershah

I think I will write to EDF and ask them to show me evidence that I am liable, as Houbara mentioned, the bills were all in my brothers name and I am not responsible for his debts. I'll keep you informed...