HELP!?! Debt demanding from previous owner

Reezy57

Hello, I really need some help and advice. 

Coming up to 3 years ago I moved into my house. I took ownership of the house in October and formally moved in in November, there was roughly a 4 week period where I was not living in the house. Once moved in I set up my new energy supplier. 

Soon after I began to receive letters from the previous owners energy supplier stating I owed them almost £200. 

Naturally I contacted the company to query dates and usage as I had concerns that I was being chased for debts accrued by the previous owner. The company did not get back to me. 

Soon after I contacted them again to chase them up for the exact amounts that I owed for the possible 4 week overlap. Again they did not get back in touch to provide me with the details. 

Another year past and I received another letter, and AGAIN I asked for usage and dates to confirm what I owed and again I got nothing. 

The next I hear is more than 2 years after I moved in to the house and from a company acting on behalf of the energy supplier as they the had gone into liquidation. I explained the situation to the liquidation company who said they would freeze my account until they could verify the details that were needed. That was months ago and again I have been provided with nothing nor have I been contacted again.

Today I received a demanding letter from a debt collection company working on their behalf claiming that I am causing difficulty in repayments and that if I don’t pay them they may take me to court.

I have made every effort to work with the company prior to liquidation as well as after to pay any debts that could be mine (if it was to close an account or what not) but they didn’t provide me with the correct details to enable me to do so. 

I am so worried now that I’m going to get a CCJ or even that bailiffs are going to turn up at my door. 

Surely demanding money 3 years down the line for a debt that they haven’t provided proof that is mine isn’t acceptable? 

Please any advice would be greatly appreciated! 

Gerry1

At the very least you will have incurred four weeks' standing charges, together with some limited energy usage.

But did you ever pay the original energy company anything?  If not, do the sums and send the debt collector a reasonable guesstimated amount.  Remember that you will have been on a deemed tariff which is expensive.

If you then say 'See you in Court' at least you will be seen to have been reasonable and it will be up to them to make their case for any additional payment.

MWT

Reezy57 said:

Hello, I really need some help and advice. 

Coming up to 3 years ago I moved into my house. I took ownership of the house in October and formally moved in in November, there was roughly a 4 week period where I was not living in the house. Once moved in I set up my new energy supplier. 

Soon after I began to receive letters from the previous owners energy supplier stating I owed them almost £200.

That wasn't just the previous owners supplier, that was your supplier as well...

You can't just move in and setup a new supplier without registering with the current one first...

So what did you use as the opening meter reading with the new supplier? was it a reading from the day you took control of the property in October, or something from November?

Petriix

Don't worry. They can't just issue a CCJ. If they did take you to court you could simply explain to the judge that you are still waiting for an accurate bill which has never been provided. You undoubtedly do owe them some money, but it's hard to guess how much.

Do you have a record of the meter readings when you took ownership, when you moved in, and when your supply switched to the new company? This will help you to get things straight.

Hasbeen

Reezy57 said:

Hello, I really need some help and advice. 

Coming up to 3 years ago I moved into my house. I took ownership of the house in October and formally moved in in November, there was roughly a 4 week period where I was not living in the house. Once moved in I set up my new energy supplier. 

Soon after I began to receive letters from the previous owners energy supplier stating I owed them almost £200. 

Naturally I contacted the company to query dates and usage as I had concerns that I was being chased for debts accrued by the previous owner. The company did not get back to me. 

Soon after I contacted them again to chase them up for the exact amounts that I owed for the possible 4 week overlap. Again they did not get back in touch to provide me with the details. 

Another year past and I received another letter, and AGAIN I asked for usage and dates to confirm what I owed and again I got nothing. 

The next I hear is more than 2 years after I moved in to the house and from a company acting on behalf of the energy supplier as they the had gone into liquidation. I explained the situation to the liquidation company who said they would freeze my account until they could verify the details that were needed. That was months ago and again I have been provided with nothing nor have I been contacted again.

Today I received a demanding letter from a debt collection company working on their behalf claiming that I am causing difficulty in repayments and that if I don’t pay them they may take me to court.

I have made every effort to work with the company prior to liquidation as well as after to pay any debts that could be mine (if it was to close an account or what not) but they didn’t provide me with the correct details to enable me to do so. 

I am so worried now that I’m going to get a CCJ or even that bailiffs are going to turn up at my door. 

Surely demanding money 3 years down the line for a debt that they haven’t provided proof that is mine isn’t acceptable? 

Please any advice would be greatly appreciated! 

So basically you did not do the first basic fundemental  part when moving  in of registering with the existing energy provider.

Who you had a deemed contract with.

You did not supply them with moving in readings?

What energy company  are now  chasing you for payment?

The only recourse is to get in touch and if still available give them the move in readings.
If you do not have these then try and negotiate.