British Gas pursuing me for bills for someone else's house

jtls

I was a tenant in a house for 9 months. I moved out 8 years ago. Last December, I got a letter out of the blue from British Gas addressed to myself and my housemate at the time. It incorrectly declared that as we were the landlords of that house and the tenants were moving out, they will set up energy accounts for us for the gas and electric. They sent the first bills on the 21st. I then sent a complaint outlining that I am not and was never the landlord and have not lived there for 8 years and asking that they rectify this. With the Christmas post, they got it on Jan 3. I received their reply on Jan 21, which failed to address my complaint and merely asked I email them my telephone number because someone wanted to call me 'for more information'. 

I don't intend to call them as I want everything on record, so I will write an email back. What can I say that will make them resolve this? I had expected the one letter would be enough. In the meantime, they have continued to send bills and are now sending overdue letters and threatening to pass it on to debt collectors, which I heard may affect my credit score. I've read British Gas are notorious for pursuing people for past occupiers' bills but I've never heard of them demanding it for somewhere you don't even live! I've read about mentioning consulting a solicitor if they continue to send harassing bills. Would this be effective?

molerat

Dear BG

Myself and XXX were tenants in the subject property up until xx aaa yyyy

We have never been the owners or landlords of said property and as such we are not responsible for any debts arising after our tenancy ended. We have no knowledge of who the current tenants, owners, landlords or agents may be.

Please desist with further enforcement of this spurious debt.

Any further contact on this matter, apart from confirming that all further action has ceased and the matter is closed, will be treated as harassment which is a criminal offence and will be reported to the appropriate authorities.

Gerry1

As above, plus...

I trust that your prompt and effective action will resolve this issue and not force me to complain to the Energy Ombudsman.

Please find attached my invoice for £50 in respect of my time and expenses for preparing this second communication.

jtls

Thanks, those are strong responses!