Bulb.co.uk are harassing me over a bill. But I never lived at the property.

DJalecC

Hi

Bulb, the electricity company have been harassing me for over a year now about a bill they say I owe them.

I've pointed out in MANY emails to them that I have never lived in the property because for the past 12 years I live abroad, not in the UK.

They fail to provide any account number, details, copies of any contract with my signature on it opening the account, or anything!!!

Now they are saying it's going to a debt agency and will spoil my good credit name.

How can I stop these people? It doesn't matter what I say to them the emails just keep coming.

How can I sue them for harassment?

Any advice you can give me please?

Devongardener

Have they sent a copy of the disputed bill in their emails?

DJalecC

Devongardener said:

Have they sent a copy of the disputed bill in their emails?

No, they send nothing. Just an email telling me the amount and a link to pay.

But I never opened an account with them, I asked them so many times to send me the contract but they just ignore me.

TELLIT01

Is it a property that you own/owned even if you didn't live there?  Is there a possibility they are coming after you because a tenant didn't pay?

DJalecC

TELLIT01 said:

Is it a property that you own/owned even if you didn't live there?  Is there a possibility they are coming after you because a tenant didn't pay?

The tenant is responsible for the electric bills. So yes they should be going after them. I've never had this problem before in 12 years, so why now? How is it even possible to open an account without my knowledge and then send me a bill?

Devongardener

DJalecC said:

Devongardener said:

Have they sent a copy of the disputed bill in their emails?

No, they send nothing. Just an email telling me the amount and a link to pay.

But I never opened an account with them, I asked them so many times to send me the contract but they just ignore me.

Octopus acquired Bulb last year but you can call them 0300 3030365.   Any account debits were transferred to Octopus. 

DJalecC

Devongardener said:

DJalecC said:

Devongardener said:

Have they sent a copy of the disputed bill in their emails?

No, they send nothing. Just an email telling me the amount and a link to pay.

But I never opened an account with them, I asked them so many times to send me the contract but they just ignore me.

Octopus acquired Bulb last year but you can call them 0300 3030365.   Any account debits were transferred to Octopus. 

I'm not in the UK so can't call them, I'm dealing with them via email, still under the name Bulb

Keep_pedalling

If this a property you own then you will be responsible for the bill when there are no tenants in residence. Even if no gas’s or electricity is being used the standing charges will still apply.

You may not have signed a contract but as electricity and gas supplies are covered by deemed contracts as soon as a tenant moves out the new tenant has a deemed contract with the current supplier. If there is no new tenant then the contract falls on the owner.

https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/sites/default/files/docs/2006/06/14319-deemed-contracts.pdf

DJalecC

Keep_pedalling said:

If this a property you own then you will be responsible for the bill when there are no tenants in residence. Even if no gas’s or electricity is being used the standing charges will still apply.

You may not have signed a contract but as electricity and gas supplies are covered by deemed contracts as soon as a tenant moves out the new tenant has a deemed contract with the current supplier. If there is no new tenant then the contract falls on the owner.

Well I point your attention to clause 2.4

2.4 Customer information

SLC 28(8) provides that where a supplier supplies a customer with gas or electricity under a deemed contract, it shall use its reasonable endeavours to provide them with:

a) details of the principal terms of that deemed contract
b) written notice that contracts on terms other than deemed contract terms may be available and as to how information can be obtained as to any such terms, and
c) if the customer is a domestic customer, an accurate summary of the principal terms of domestic supply contracts available to them. 

I received nothing

DJalecC

Also in clause 2.5

2.5 Deemed contract required terms

Notice the word 'REQUIRED TERMS'

SLC 28(9) provides obligations for suppliers to include set terms within their deemed contacts. These obligations reflect requirements stated elsewhere on suppliers with respect to contracts that customers expressly enter into and deal with:

 ƒ security and emergency arrangements (gas only), 

ƒ contracts to be terminable on appointment of a SoLR, 

ƒ security deposits, 

ƒ termination where a customer ceases to own or occupy a premise, and 

ƒ deemed contracts to be terminable at the point where a supply is taken under contract from the incumbent or new supplier

So if I don't occupy the premise I'm not responsible for it. And they did not send me any of this REQUIREMENT 

tightauldgit

DJalecC said:

Keep_pedalling said:

If this a property you own then you will be responsible for the bill when there are no tenants in residence. Even if no gas’s or electricity is being used the standing charges will still apply.

You may not have signed a contract but as electricity and gas supplies are covered by deemed contracts as soon as a tenant moves out the new tenant has a deemed contract with the current supplier. If there is no new tenant then the contract falls on the owner.

Well I point your attention to clause 2.4

2.4 Customer information

SLC 28(8) provides that where a supplier supplies a customer with gas or electricity under a deemed contract, it shall use its reasonable endeavours to provide them with:

a) details of the principal terms of that deemed contract
b) written notice that contracts on terms other than deemed contract terms may be available and as to how information can be obtained as to any such terms, and
c) if the customer is a domestic customer, an accurate summary of the principal terms of domestic supply contracts available to them. 

I received nothing

The address will have received the information addressed to either 'The Owner' or 'The Occupier' - if you own the property and it is tenanted then the tenant is responsible for the energy bills but if it's empty then you as the owner are responsible to pay any energy charges. 

It's YOUR responsibility as an owner to be aware of what's going on with respect to utilities at your property.