Can Scottish Power ask to see my tenancy agreement?

Eirene88

Scottish Power have been a total nightmare from start to finish. I've now moved out of my flat and it turns out they've never recorded any of the meter readings I  gave them (including my move out reading) and are saying the readings are all impossible, even though I have photos of the meter including the meter code! The customer service has been awful. The latest step is that they've asked to see my tenancy agreement, without explaining why. I do not see why I should have to provide this, particularly when they are clearly careless with the data they do have on me (e.g. they asked me in an email today what address the account relates to, which they should definitely know). Do they have a right to ask for my tenancy agreement at this stage and, if so, what will they use it for?
Thanks in advance for any advice. 

Eirene88

NB. This follows a string of other issues including the account being incorrectly set up on three occasions because of on the problems with their IT system, being put on the wrong tariff for 2 months (which they already agreed they did and have given me a 'goodwill' £30) and various other customer service issues, so my patience with them is wearing thin. 

Ectophile

The only reason I can think of is that they want to see what date you moved into the flat and what date you moved out.  There's nothing else in the agreement that would be of any use to them.

Talldave

Would they ask a homeowner to see their deeds? It sounds very weird. My reply would consist of two words, of which the second would be "off" (provided they didn't owe me money!).

Eirene88

Thanks for getting back to me. I'm glad to hear it also sounds odd to others. I've pushed back on it for now. It wouldn't even tell them my move out date, just my move in date, which I gave them when I opened the account anyway. My account is £179 in credit but they can't calculate a final bill because they inexplicably disagree with all my meter readings, so I'm not sure who will end up owing who in the end. I'm planning to escalate through their complaints procedure as soon as they give me a complaint reference number, which they haven't done so far.

Gerry1

Presumably neither the landlord nor any new tenant has registered with SP, so they want some evidence that you're not still in residence and planning to do a runner at some stage?

The landlord may have had difficulty finding a new tenant because of the corona virus and may be hoping that the eventual new tenant will end up paying from the date of your departure.

Make sure you're on the Electoral Roll at your new address !

Eirene88

There is a new tenant moving in in a few days and Scottish Power anyway have  (or should have!) the landlords' details, both from the form I filled in on move out and for the previous gap between tenants, although that in itself was a saga (the landlord is international and they didn't seem to accept this, which caused problems even though he was actively contacting them and they had his contact details). I've spoken to them at least 3 times in the run up to moving out about the process, as well as multiple times since then in trying to resolve this, and this is the first mention of anything to do with the tenancy agreement. It's so frustrating as it's just taking up so much time.

Eirene88

I've asked the landlord to contact them to make sure they have him on the account from my move out date so hopefully that will help. 

Eirene88

I'm also on the electoral roll already at my new address but thanks for the suggestion anyway, as I wouldn't have thought of them being able to use that.

anniecave

Electoral roll wouldn't actually help, as you can be responsible for the utilities at more than one property (if you have a second home, or move into a new home before you fully move out of a previous one). You could also be on the electoral roll but not even be responsible directly for utilities. Getting the landlord to re-confirm the information is a good idea though. 

matelodave

I'm guessing that you never checked your bills against meter readings otherwise you would have been aware that they weren't using your readings and you could have done something about it at the time. I'd suggest that the reason they want to see your tenancy agreement is to confirm when your tenancy started and when it finished.

I'm assuming that you did give them a start reading when you moved in and opened your account with them (you did read the meter yourself didn't you). Likewise did you take the final reading yourself and submit it to them in writing when you left.

If you feel that you aren't getting anywhere, then send them a formal complaint in writing rather than keep phoning - send it by recorded delivery and ask for a deadlock letter if they cant sort it out withing 14 days