Moved out of flat with pre-pay meter - SSE trying to charge me 'outstanding' amount

IJG

I moved into a flat with a pre-pay electric meter (no gas supply). It had sat empty for several years landlord had failed to pay his bills.
It worked well for me for the year I lived there and helped me keep on top of my bills. I moved out last month and SSE/OVO keep texting me saying that I owe £430 in a final bill.
I don't understand how this can be the case since I literally pre-paid for the electricity I used.
My friends and family are telling me to ignore it - but SSE are now threatening to 'pass the debt' on to a third party (excessive, since I only moved out 6 weeks ago).
Has anyone else experienced this? Are they just trying it on?

Mobtr

Have you had a final bill from SSE/OVO in your name or just text messages?  If they have your number, I’m assuming you set up an account with them when you moved in. If the meter was reset by then when you moved in there should be nothing for you to pay, however, if it wasn’t done properly & the accrued standing charge was loaded as a debt instead of being wiped off, this could be what they’re chasing you for. Best bet is to ring them to discuss it 

IJG

They've been sending letters to the old address and texts directing me to a bill that is online.

I had presumed the amount was outstanding debt owed by my landlord.
But I called them and they insisted the charges were for the period I was living there. 
They implied the meter was incorrect and that they have done a subsequent reading as the new tenants have switched to a different meter/supplier.

If the meter is incorrect - and they had me on a pre-pay, how is that my responsibility?

They encouraged me to stay on pre-pay when I contacted them to switch the account to my name (I only did this so I could received the government heating allowance vouchers) 

DE_612183

pre-payment doesn't always mean what you think.

There are two parts to the pp meter:

1. Records the electricity usage - this together with standing charge is what you need to pay.
2. The payment bit makes you pay a certain amount towards electricity and s/c.

Providing Part2 has been set up correctly when you move out the money you've paid equals the money you've spent - however sometimes if the settings are wrong or the tariff is wrong - that will not the case.

Phone them up - ask the simple question

"why have I got a balance when I had a PP meter?"

DE_612183

oh, one other thing - don't listen to your friends - do not ignore it 

As far as they are concerned at the moment the debt is due - the debt will get passed, you will get more follow-up and you may end up with a CCJ or similar.

First step is always to tell the company "Prove it"

IJG

I asked them and they indicated 'something was incorrect' but they didn't give me a very adequate answer. I'll ask them again.

Mobtr

How much were you charging your key with & how often? 

IJG

I was charging it every couple of weeks - more often over the winter. 50 - 100 each time. My consumption was very low. I was living alone in a 200 year old flat with no central heating. 

SAC2334

You moved into a property which had been vacant for a few years the prepay electric meter would have been racking up the daily standing charges for all the years it was empty..That alone could amount to a few hundred quid showing on the meter , say £250 and that  would be displaying that amount on the screen  with a minus sign / or debt showing on the screen.along with the amount..
If you did nt get a brand new key from the supplier you would have been inheriting all this standing charge which the landlord owes and still owes unless he pays it off..
I ve known many landlords play this game in between tenants and get them to pay for the time the place was empty 

Also if there's money owing from a previous debt that also would be taking a weekly amount off..
You can be in debt on prepay meters if you re not topping up enough to pay the daily standing charges which now is around 48 p to 51 p a day .

DE_612183

is the account in your name?

Gerry1

If you end up making a formal complaint you can go to the ombudsman after six weeks instead of the usual eight.

SSE had to agree to that because their customer service was so poor.