EDF Gas - Tenant not paying gas bill

Gurj247

Hi all,
Hoping someone can help. I rented out a property back in Aug 20 and it would appear that the tenant has not paid any of the gas bills. I rang edf to give them the tenants details as well as offering to provide a copy of the tenancy agreement (but told not needed) and they would send the tenant the bill. 
I am now receiving letters again asking for payment of the gas bill. 
Is there an email address or some other way to contact edf about this so I have something in writing that shows I contacted them regarding this matter as last time was a phone call. 

Thanks

[Deleted User]

Send them a Complaint in writing (with Proof of Postage) along with a copy of the Tenancy Agreement. Inform them that the remedy that you are seeking is confirmation in writing that you are not liable for any energy consumed after the Tenancy was taken out. Don't let them fob you off with a phone call response from the Complaints Team. 

matelodave

Did you open an account in your name and submit the meter reading when the tenant moved out and close the account when the next one moved in to ensure that you only pay for the bit you are responsible for.

That would probably have saved you with this aggro.  Do you know what the meter reading was when he moved (both in and out). As a landlord you really need to keep on top of it to avoid ending up with someone else's water, gas, leccy or phone bill

Hasbeen

Gurj247 said:

Hi all,
Hoping someone can help. I rented out a property back in Aug 20 and it would appear that the tenant has not paid any of the gas bills. I rang edf to give them the tenants details as well as offering to provide a copy of the tenancy agreement (but told not needed) and they would send the tenant the bill. 
I am now receiving letters again asking for payment of the gas bill. 
Is there an email address or some other way to contact edf about this so I have something in writing that shows I contacted them regarding this matter as last time was a phone call. 

Thanks

When one tenant moves out you take the readings and register with the existing supplier.

When new tenant moves in you take the readings and inform supplier of new tenants name etc.

You get final bill, pay what is owed. The agreement is now not in your name.

Why is EDF sending you a bill for payment? Is this for the gas you used whilst registered to you?

Or is it for gas the tenant is using, as the account is still registered in your name?

Gurj247

We took a reading when the tenant moved in, informed edf and have paid for the gas usage applicable during the property being vacant. 
All edf letters are addresses as Current Occupier / Landlord. 

Hasbeen

Then not your problem the account is not in your name.

If the tenant does not pay the gas provider will fit prepayment meters with any debt built in. Very expensive then for tenant!
Do as Delor has advised above.

Dolor

Send them a Complaint in writing (with Proof of Postage) along with a copy of the Tenancy Agreement. Inform them that the remedy that you are seeking is confirmation in writing that you are not liable for any energy consumed after the Tenancy was taken out. Don't let them fob you off with a phone call response from the Complaints Team. 

matelodave

Gurj247 said:

We took a reading when the tenant moved in, informed edf and have paid for the gas usage applicable during the property being vacant. 
All edf letters are addresses as Current Occupier / Landlord. 

Did you send another reading when he moved out to indicate that there was a change of responsibility for the bill. Unless a new tenant moves in immediately and immediately sets up an account  then the energy company cant possibly know that someone else is responsible for the bill,.Its the same when someone leaves, if they don't give a final reading and the new tenant doesn't get around to setting them selves up then the bill just keeps racking up until someone does something to break the chain and start again.

TBH it's you responsibility as a landlord to advise your tenants of the correct processes and to agree meter readings (for gas, water leccy and anything else, like rates etc) when there's a change so that everyone is aware what to do and how to do it.. It should be part of the handover procedure and signatures should be obtain to ensure that every one knows what the readings were. It saves getting into this sort of mess and if you do end up with a problem then the evidence is in your records.

Gurj247

So old tenant left. Took reading and paid his bill
Landlord too over had work done and then when new tenant moved in took further meter reading and provided to EDF.  Landlord paid his bill.
Latest tenant has not paid anything. Details provided to EDF over the phone. Told EdF will contact tenant and sort out. 

So will write the letter and post it. 
I will also email the complaints team, tell them the same thing and tell them i have also written to them too. 

In future will do as someone advise of getting agreed meter readings signed off for record purposes etc and ensure I write to suppliers and request confirmation that tenants are now responsible 

Hasbeen

Gurj247 said:

So old tenant left. Took reading and paid his bill
Landlord too over had work done and then when new tenant moved in took further meter reading and provided to EDF.  Landlord paid his bill.
Latest tenant has not paid anything. Details provided to EDF over the phone. Told EdF will contact tenant and sort out. 

So will write the letter and post it. 
I will also email the complaints team, tell them the same thing and tell them i have also written to them too. 

In future will do as someone advise of getting agreed meter readings signed off for record purposes etc and ensure I write to suppliers and request confirmation that tenants are now responsible 

Please update outcome. To help any others in future similar circumstances. 

What about tenants electric bill? 

 

Gurj247

So just a quick update. Managed to get a hold of someone via edf chat function. All details changed and they confirmed we are not liable for the usage by the tenant. 

What this has taught me is to really get on top of all the paper work and record keeping on communications with the tenant and suppliers etc. As not all tenants will be as open and honest as my last one. 

matelodave

Glad to hear that you've got it sorted and now know how to keep on top of it so it doesn't happen again.

ATB