Scottish power ruining credit score - not our debt

MoneyMax

My partners ex passed away while they were still together. The Scottish power account was in her name, it was her house and is now owned by her children.
He's now being billed for a period of time where he didn't live in the property, and the account was never in his name. 
Now years later we are trying to get a mortgage, but nobody will give us a mortgage with this defaulted payment on his credit file. Scottish Power are uninterested, they say he has to go through the complaints procedure but then wont allow him to do so as he cannot pass security to access the account (because its not his account!).
We have requested the original agreement, complained in writing, raised a dispute with TransUnion where the defaulted account is filed. Nothing is working and we can not buy a home.
We have a 25k hard saved deposit sat there ready to put down on a mortgage, but this £700 debt which isn't ours is holding us back.
If anyone has any advice that we've not thought of already, we would be so grateful. 
Thank you

sourcrates

 

Credit and debit on utility accounts

Well, as with most things of this nature, there is a process to follow, and it appears that wasn`t done in this case, this is taken from the Coop funeral page of their website -

It’s important to note that if utility accounts are in credit at the date of death, they are considered to be assets of the deceased’s estate. Similarly, utility accounts that are in debit are liabilities (or debts) of the deceased’s estate. Assets and liabilities need to be reported for probate and inheritance tax (IHT) so it’s important to ensure that credit and debit balances are not overlooked.

First of all, you will need to locate the meters and take readings. This should be done as soon as possible after the date of death. You will then need to contact the utility companies to give them the readings and to inform them that your loved one has passed away. The companies will send you final bills up to the meter readings you have given, and the balances can be paid to or from the Estate.

It is the balances on these bills that will need to be reported for probate and inheritance tax. The companies will then open new accounts in the name of the person who's responsible for dealing with the estate, which may be you. You will need to look after the bills on the new accounts right up until the house or flat is sold or transferred. At this point you will need to take further meter readings and contact the companies again to ask them to close the accounts and send you final bills.

Thrugelmir

Who were the executors of her estate? 

MoneyMax

Thrugelmir said:

Who were the executors of her estate? 

Hi, I dont know. My partner only lived with her in her house, he was never on the mortgage. The house went to the children (adults) and the Scottish Power debt was for a time period after my partner moved out of the house to his own flat. 

penners324

Have they request SAR from Scottish Power?
Why didn't the complaint work?

soutyp

You may wish to consider approaching a no / win / no fee team of solicitors who deal with Data Privacy and see if there is a case to claim compensation under data protection laws. If there is a case, then there is a good chance Scottish Power will correct the credit file as well.

[Deleted User]

soutyp said:

You may wish to consider approaching a no / win / no fee team of solicitors who deal with Data Privacy and see if there is a case to claim compensation under data protection laws. If there is a case, then there is a good chance Scottish Power will correct the credit file as well.

You will not get compensation for the gimmick score changing and and using a no win / no fee firm is a waste of money if they did succeed as they could ask directly.

Compensation is to cover financial losses, a single default is not going to stop them getting a mortgage if they use a broker, they could expect a token sum from them of maybe a few hundred quid unless they can prove material losses e.g. mortgage lender confirming that was the reason they were rejected

MEM62

soutyp said:

You may wish to consider approaching a no / win / no fee team of solicitors who deal with Data Privacy and see if there is a case to claim compensation under data protection laws. If there is a case, then there is a good chance Scottish Power will correct the credit file as well.

The bottom feeders of the legal profession would not be interested in this - even if there was any such thing as as NWNF that 'deals' in DP.  The OP has not suffered any loss so there is nothing in it for them.  

A formal complaint if the first course of action - if the original one was not submitted / noted as such. If that does not produce a result then you can escalate to the regulator body.