Bought a house that was empty - unpaid utility bills

davidmcn

Goldust wrote: »

I am thinking I should ring the debt collection agency and quote their reference and give them the details of the property developer. Or ask the energy supplier to handle it. Or is talking to those type of people at all a bad idea?

Not necessarily a "bad" idea, but probably a waste of time. They shouldn't talk to you anyway about somebody else's debt.

They'll be used to debtors being long gone, and possibly never having resided at the property. So I doubt they'll waste their time making a personal visit, unless for some reason they believe the debtor will actually be at home.

Goldust

Hi all... this saga continues!  Here's what has happened so far since my last post:

• 20th January.  Called energy supplier and explained the situation.  They took the current readings and said they would set up a new account and move the debt to the property developer (including updating it as the assumed readings were all wrong anyway so the debt was inflated).  They also said that they would update the debt collection agency and recall the debt

• Around a week later, I get a call to provide proof of when I purchased the property.  I provided this immediately via email including the case reference as requested

• A further week later, another bill and demand for payment addressed to "the occupier".  I called them up, fed up at this stage and asked why this was not resolved.  They said they were waiting for my proof detailed above.  When I pointed out I sent it already they said "oh yeah" and attached it to the case.  I asked to speak to who was dealing with the case but they said I couldn't so I requested a call back which never came.  They also said they didn't know who was responsible for the debt until I pointed out I'd given them that too when I first called back

So I'm stuck.  I still have this phantom debt on the property which I have followed all of the advice given previously to mitigate if someone turns but but it's frustrating that it's not sorted.  Also as I have no account still, I am going to get charged standard rate for everything I've used so far and I cannot switch energy companies.  Is there anything I can do?  I just want rid of these incompetent idiots now and each day that passes is costing me money.

SpiderLegs

Stop over-reacting would be my advice.
You’ve set up your own account now. Who cares if someone turns up demanding payment for before you owned the house. You just tell them to go away.

diggingdude

Goldust said:

Hi all... this saga continues!  Here's what has happened so far since my last post:

• 20th January.  Called energy supplier and explained the situation.  They took the current readings and said they would set up a new account and move the debt to the property developer (including updating it as the assumed readings were all wrong anyway so the debt was inflated).  They also said that they would update the debt collection agency and recall the debt

• Around a week later, I get a call to provide proof of when I purchased the property.  I provided this immediately via email including the case reference as requested

• A further week later, another bill and demand for payment addressed to "the occupier".  I called them up, fed up at this stage and asked why this was not resolved.  They said they were waiting for my proof detailed above.  When I pointed out I sent it already they said "oh yeah" and attached it to the case.  I asked to speak to who was dealing with the case but they said I couldn't so I requested a call back which never came.  They also said they didn't know who was responsible for the debt until I pointed out I'd given them that too when I first called back

So I'm stuck.  I still have this phantom debt on the property which I have followed all of the advice given previously to mitigate if someone turns but but it's frustrating that it's not sorted.  Also as I have no account still, I am going to get charged standard rate for everything I've used so far and I cannot switch energy companies.  Is there anything I can do?  I just want rid of these incompetent idiots now and each day that passes is costing me money.

why can't you set up a new account?  ignore everything else. just phone up and set up a new account. 

ThePants999

diggingdude said:

Goldust said:

• 20th January.  Called energy supplier ... they would set up a new account 

why can't you set up a new account?  ignore everything else. just phone up and set up a new account. 

Don't think you quite read the post you quoted carefully enough

Goldust

As ThePants999 has pointed out I can't set up a new account. 

Just to clarify, I have tried - I have given them initial readings and rang multiple times.  They still only have "The Occupier" as a person listed against the address despite my attempts to register.  I even pointed out to them that I can't pay as I don't know what I'm paying, what my tariff is or anything.  All they say is that they will set me up from the date I bought the house and base it on the readings I have given but almost a month has passed and none of the has happened.

diggingdude

ThePants999 said:

diggingdude said:

Goldust said:

• 20th January.  Called energy supplier ... they would set up a new account 

why can't you set up a new account?  ignore everything else. just phone up and set up a new account. 

Don't think you quite read the post you quoted carefully enough

My meaning is insist on an account being set up from purchase with readings, which it appears is what the OP is doing.  Anything else is the utilities problem not theirs 

[Deleted User]

I had a similar problem with a company that didn't seem to have a clue what it was doing, what it should be doing.  Never experienced anything like it.  They point blank refused to open a new account for me regardless of what proof I sent them of a new tenancy.  My problem was it was a prepayment meter (they didn't send new cards either in spite of promises to do so).  The first night we had to live by candle light which with two autistic sons scared of the dark wasn't fun.  Every time I'd phone I'd speak to a different person who seemed to come up with a different set of possible actions, none of which resolved the situation.  Apparently there were two sets of payment cards that weren't sent out sitting in their distribution centre.  Eventually I got hold of a housing advice person who knocked a few heads together, made it clear this wasn't acceptable (she had more of an idea of the law stating what they should be doing to handle this).  She made an official complaint and I was given a handler, someone who sorted the problem out and I actually received compensation.  The company is one of the ones that folded fairly quickly which didn't surprise me at all.  Needless to say I changed suppliers as quickly as I could.

I would advise making it clear you are making a formal complaint as you should be able to open an account and go for a fixed tarriff.  What happened to the previous client is nothing to do with you.  You have sent them proof of new residence.  End of.  Hopefully, complaining will get you through to someone who is prepared to 'handle' the case and make sure things proceed smoothly from that point.  If you don't have any joy with making a formal complaint, go to the CAB and ask for their help.  Or you can go to OFGEM https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/consumers/household-gas-and-electricity-guide/complain-about-your-gas-or-electricity-bill-or-supplier if a complaint is not being handled properly.

I do hope it gets sorted.

lees80

Are you trying to open an account with the same provider? If so, don't.
Open an account with an alternative energy provider - best way to distance yourself from the existing mess. 

As others have already said, you are only responsible for utilities from the date you moved in/took ownership, and you already have this proof - is this from your solicitor? 

Don't speak to the debt agency, they are not your concern. Once they have your details they will likely hound you unnecessarily. Your property doesn't have a debt attached, so to speak, but the previous owner does. 

pinkteapot

Which energy company is it? Post about it on the Energy board on here (not the LPG etc sub-board, the one that's just called 'Energy'), naming the energy company in the thread title. Some of the big energy companies have official reps who respond to threads on that forum. 

As others have said, this should have been straightforward. You phone the supplier when you taken ownership/start a tenancy in a property, give them the date the property is yours from and the meter reading from that date and ask to open an account. Anything that's happened in the past is nothing to do with you. If they refuse to open you an account then make a complaint (do it properly - check their complaints process which should be online).

For what it's worth, whenever I've had debt collection letters for previous owners/occupiers, I've always phoned the number on the letter and told them that person no longer lives at the address. I know that's not the advice given in this thread, but it's always worked for me and never been any hassle. They've noted it and stopped writing. It always struck me as weird that they never asked for any sort of proof!