Charged for Bill from a previous address from a company I’ve never even heard of!

Gibbo_CCC

Just today I received a letter from a collection agency concerning an unpaid bill for utilities from a previous address of mine. I have never heard of the Utility Company who have contacted the collection agency nor have I signed anything with them. My tenancy agreement shows nothing concerning the company either and it was explained by 2 previous tenants who moved in first that they had sorted Utility Bills therefore there were the lead bookers and held responsibility. Everything I was asked to pay at that address was paid and often early and my record with bills such as rent and any credit agreements are very good, never made a late payment. 

It’s a big bill at £1300 but I do not see how I can be held responsible. I do not understand how the company has gotten my new address but imagine my
former letting agent has given it to them and pumped me with the problem and was hoping someone has some advice with
how I can deal with this

dogshome

Post is a little confusing

Did you live on your own at this address, or was it shared accommodation with other people who each made a contribution to the bills?

If the latter, then I'm afraid the you "Joint & Severally" liable for any unpaid bills - You may well have paid your share to the 'Lead' tenant, but if they did not pass it on to the Utility Co's, then each individual in the let is responsible for the whole debt

MWT

Do you have a copy of the bill they are claiming is unpaid?

The first thing to check on the bill is that the dates refer to a period when you were actually a tenant.

From what you have said, should we assume that you were paying the existing tenants for your share of the energy bills and relying on them to actually pay the company?

Do you know which company they were paying?

It sounds like you had your name on the tenancy agreement, so they can hold you responsible for the bill even if your name was not on the energy account. Are you still in touch with the people who were tenants at the same time as you?

Robin9

CAn you name the company please - there have been lots of companies fail and their customers have been transferred