DRO and Utility Bills in Another Person's Name

ilomilo

I'm currently applying for a DRO and have declared a utility bill on the application. This was for an old property I moved out from about a year ago. I only received this a few months ago and I'm not sure why as the account was always paid off in time.

I'm in a new house now and our current provider is the same as the one I hold the debt with. I'm not the person named on my account at my new address and my new housemate is in charge of it. 

How does this work? It's for an old property I lived at about a year ago. The debt isn't on the account for our address now, the current account holder didn't live at my old address, and I'm not named on the new account.

They were also planning on moving out soon so I'd be taking over the account at some point. I'm not sure if that changes anything.

I will be speaking to my DRO advisor this week about this but wanted to ask here too. Any advice?

ilomilo

Edit: the debt is in my name on a different account.

SpreadableToast

OK, so what's your question here?

fatbelly

You declare it as a debt on  your DRO application

ilomilo

SpreadableToast said:

OK, so what's your question here?

My question is what actually happens in this case... I've been told several things e.g: 1) nothing will happen and it will get wiped off along with the other declared debts 2) it doesn't get wiped off and goes to the account holder of my current address (even though they didn't live at the listed address the debt was owed at). 3) it would get paid off and we may have to go on a pay as you go credit meter.

fatbelly said:

You declare it as a debt on  your DRO application

I have declared it but I've heard several things about what this means - see above.

SpreadableToast

You have no contract with the energy company at present. In fact, they don't even know you live there.  The debt included in your DRO will be wiped.

When you try to take the account over, however, I wouldn't be too surprised if they insist on prepayment meters, or refuse to put you on anything other than a standard tariff.

ilomilo

SpreadableToast said:

You have no contract with the energy company at present. In fact, they don't even know you live there.  The debt included in your DRO will be wiped.

When you try to take the account over, however, I wouldn't be too surprised if they insist on prepayment meters, or refuse to put you on anything other than a standard tariff.

Thanks for the quick reply.

They seem to have my current address and I'm not entirely sure how! I received a letter chasing the debt about a week ago. This is why I was worried about my housemate potentially having to take over the debt as I don't really know them (if that is actually a thing that happens). My anxiety is through the roof with all possibilities right now.

The prepaid meter makes sense. I was thinking of moving providers beforehand to lessen some of the stress but I'm not sure if that would make a difference, or is something that is even allowed. Again, something to speak to my DRO advisor about (I have a phone appointment in a few days) but wanted to check online too.

SpreadableToast

ilomilo said:

SpreadableToast said:

You have no contract with the energy company at present. In fact, they don't even know you live there.  The debt included in your DRO will be wiped.

When you try to take the account over, however, I wouldn't be too surprised if they insist on prepayment meters, or refuse to put you on anything other than a standard tariff.

Thanks for the quick reply.

They seem to have my current address and I'm not entirely sure how! I received a letter chasing the debt about a week ago. This is why I was worried about my housemate potentially having to take over the debt as I don't really know them (if that is actually a thing that happens). My anxiety is through the roof with all possibilities right now.

The prepaid meter makes sense. I was thinking of moving providers beforehand to lessen some of the stress but I'm not sure if that would make a difference, or is something that is even allowed. Again, something to speak to my DRO advisor about (I have a phone appointment in a few days) but wanted to check online too.

It's your debt, not theirs.  They won't need to pay it.

ilomilo

SpreadableToast said:

ilomilo said:

SpreadableToast said:

You have no contract with the energy company at present. In fact, they don't even know you live there.  The debt included in your DRO will be wiped.

When you try to take the account over, however, I wouldn't be too surprised if they insist on prepayment meters, or refuse to put you on anything other than a standard tariff.

Thanks for the quick reply.

They seem to have my current address and I'm not entirely sure how! I received a letter chasing the debt about a week ago. This is why I was worried about my housemate potentially having to take over the debt as I don't really know them (if that is actually a thing that happens). My anxiety is through the roof with all possibilities right now.

The prepaid meter makes sense. I was thinking of moving providers beforehand to lessen some of the stress but I'm not sure if that would make a difference, or is something that is even allowed. Again, something to speak to my DRO advisor about (I have a phone appointment in a few days) but wanted to check online too.

It's your debt, not theirs.  They won't need to pay it.

Thanks, I thought so. It's just been on my mind along with many other things during this process. Hopefully all will be well.

fatbelly

ilomilo said:

My question is what actually happens in this case... I've been told several things e.g: 1) nothing will happen and it will get wiped off along with the other declared debts 2) it doesn't get wiped off and goes to the account holder of my current address (even though they didn't live at the listed address the debt was owed at). 3) it would get paid off and we may have to go on a pay as you go credit meter.

fatbelly said:

You declare it as a debt on  your DRO application

I have declared it but I've heard several things about what this means - see above.

OK, your liability is covered by the DRO. Provided the DRO completes, that would constitute a complete defennce against any action they might take.

If there was another adult in the property at the time that the energy was being used, the company that owns the debt could take action against them. 

It will have no affect on your present supply.