Pfp energy charging after business closure

JasonDevon

Hi, I am hoping for some advise. My partner closed her business in September, she told all that needed to know that she was closing. She was renting the shop from a local landlord. Everybody accepted her closure by verbal agreement. However PFP Energy have asked for proof that she has closed, and have continued to take direct debit payments from her account on an estimated bill, she has spoken with them on many occasions to find out how to prove the shop is now empty, she sent photos with date stamps, the local council sent her a shop closure confirmation letter which went to PFP. Still they say that’s not proof!? They need to confirm with the landlord.... which just happens to be the most ridiculously useless person with a heartbeat! She has asked him to call them to give confirmation, which he says he has tried but he is going around in circles speaking to people who don’t know what to do! Which I don’t believe for a minute. Pfp have tried to call him, sent him numerous letters but he basically can’t be bothered ( one of those landlords!) 
I have spoken to pfp myself also and suggested surely they can tell the shop is closed due to no electric being used? They are not helpful at all. They say she will be refunded any owed money once they have proof she left the premises, which is ok but not really satisfactory in our opinion as knowing her landlord if it takes 6 months more to rent the shop that’s six months worth of bills to pay! 

I cannot describe the stress this is causing (generally when we talk with pfp on the phone) 
please please please can anyone suggest anything?
I wondered if she should just cancel the direct debit? Can they actually prosecute etc? If there is no business, who is going to pay? 

[Deleted User]

Maybe get the landlord to sign a document to state it's closed and send a copy in?

UnclaimedEnergy

I'd say cancel the DD. I can't think they can prosecute if they're billing using estimated readings.

Might be worth just raising a complaint and if they can't resolve it by updating the account properly then take it up with a third party (energy ombudsman if they deal with non-domestic disputes)