Octopus Energy asking for signed completion statement to transfer electric account to new owner

Nabber66

I recently sold a property that had been a rental property.  I provided details of the new owners and the date the sale completed.  I provided the meter readings along with photographic evidence. 

I was shocked that I am still being billed.  I was told I needed to provide them with signed copies of the completion statement.  I only have my Solicitor’s final statement and am reluctant to provide this as I feel Octopus should not be asking for this as I feel these details are private.  Never had this before 

Netexporter

I suspect the new owner hasn't applied to take over the supply. I can imagine some unscrupulous people tell suppliers they've sold a property, when they haven't, to avoid paying for their energy, or at least the standing charge. From your point of view I think showing legal proof that you no longer have an interest in the property is the only way to settle the matter in a short timescale. If you just wait for somebody to take on the supply you could end up liable for some of the interim period.

MeteredOut

As above, annoying that you have to do this, but why not do it, just to make the problem away?

Chris_b2z

I'm surprised that the Land Registry record isn't sufficient evidence that the property has changed hands. Details including completion date and price are usually published via Rightmove, Zoopla or directly on landregistry.gov.uk a few months after completion.

MeteredOut

Chris_b2z said:

I'm surprised that the Land Registry record isn't sufficient evidence that the property has changed hands. Details including completion date and price are usually published via Rightmove, Zoopla or directly on landregistry.gov.uk a few months after completion.

Not sure about now, but there was a huge backlog at the land registry a while back.

tim_p

Chris_b2z said:

I'm surprised that the Land Registry record isn't sufficient evidence that the property has changed hands. Details including completion date and price are usually published via Rightmove, Zoopla or directly on landregistry.gov.uk a few months after completion.

I think the problem is that the £6 document from the LR states something like ‘NOT A LEGAL DOCUMENT’ on it - Octopus don’t like this. They seem to want the in’s and outs of a felines bottom for proof of things. 

Chris_b2z

Octopus just need to verify 1) that the property was sold and 2) the sale date. That information is in the public domain and can be obtained for free from Land Registry although possibly subject to delay as was previously noted.
I agree with OP. Octopus should not be requesting an original contract document containing detailed private data, most of which is completely irrelevant.

mmmmikey

What is it specifically that's on the completion statement that you want to keep private? I'm struggling to think of anything that is particularly sensitive or personal, or why this is an issue? Octopus will be obliged to treat it securely and like most big organisations will take data protection seriously. 

Chris_b2z

mmmmikey said:

What is it specifically that's on the completion statement that you want to keep private? I'm struggling to think of anything that is particularly sensitive or personal, or why this is an issue? Octopus will be obliged to treat it securely and like most big organisations will take data protection seriously. 

No-one is suggesting that this document contains sensitive personal data.

The completion statement provides a financial summary of all charges incurred in the process of selling the house. I can understand the taxman requesting to see it but why would I want to share that with an energy supplier?

Hoenir

The reluctance to engage is only going to keep the matter unresolved.  

MeteredOut

Chris_b2z said:

mmmmikey said:

What is it specifically that's on the completion statement that you want to keep private? I'm struggling to think of anything that is particularly sensitive or personal, or why this is an issue? Octopus will be obliged to treat it securely and like most big organisations will take data protection seriously. 

No-one is suggesting that this document contains sensitive personal data.

The completion statement provides a financial summary of all charges incurred in the process of selling the house. I can understand the taxman requesting to see it but why would I want to share that with an energy supplier?

Perhaps too obvious, but to get to a quicker resolution to get the billing corrected?

Octopus obviously can't force the OP to provide it, and the OP will most likely be able to get the issue resolved without providing it and by going to the Ombudsman, but do they want to make a point, or get the issue resolved sooner? But, what evidence is the OP going to provide the Ombudsman that they sold the property?