British Gas - Bills for the occupier (before we moved in)

Lewsl

Hi, I purchased a property in May and moved my supply with octopus across to the new house.  I've been getting repeated letters from BG asking for 200quid for the period ending 9th may (my move in date).  Octopus confirmed that the suppliers have agreed readings so there's no discrepancy and nothing for me to pay.

Oh, except they won't take my information with regards to the company that owned the house before me.  I've provided it to one lady, who clearly didn't update anything and since then I've only spoken to South African agents who quote the POPI act, which is a SA data protection law, which apparently means they can't take the company details from me.  So what do I do?

The kicker is that BG also billed me a couple of years ago for a period AFTER I moved out of a rental accommodation, accepted my reasoning that I didn't live there, then proceeded to mark my credit file with multiple missed payments.  Escalated to ombudsman, ruled in my favour, received compensation, only for BG to repeatedly keep adding more marks against me.  It took the best part of a year to resolve.  Therefore an official complaint that contains my real name is absolutely out of the question.

Is there any way to speak to somebody not bound by regulations that have absolutely no bearing to the UK?

TIA!

Lewsl

Not sure how to edit, sorry.  Also worth noting, is that they want ME to forward the bills to the company, yet don't have an answer for what happens if the company simply ignores them.  I don't get paid by BG, so I'm not going to be doing their job for them.  They have already threatened debt collectors (on the phone).

QrizB

Lewsl said:

.  Therefore an official complaint that contains my real name is absolutely out of the question.

An official complaint is the only way you're going to resolve this, short of ignoring communications addressed to "the occupier" for the next six-plus years.

A question: you describe the 9th of May as your "move in day". Is it also the day you took possession of the property or did you own it for a period before moving in?

Lewsl

QrizB said:

Lewsl said:

.  Therefore an official complaint that contains my real name is absolutely out of the question.

An official complaint is the only way you're going to resolve this, short of ignoring communications addressed to "the occupier" for the next six-plus years.

A question: you describe the 9th of May as your "move in day". Is it also the day you took possession of the property or did you own it for a period before moving in?

Completion and move-in date.  100% not my energy use.  House was empty for months previously.

Crazy how they create a system that's impossible to resolve with a simple (three) phonecall(s).

Thanks for your reply.

subjecttocontract

Why not just forward the bill on to the previous owners or return letters to BG marked not at this address, moved.

Lewsl

subjecttocontract said:

Why not just forward the bill on to the previous owners or return letters to BG marked not at this address, moved.

I feel that telling them repeatedly on the phone serves the same purpose.  If I forward the bills and the company don't pay, BG are still going to endlessly bother me for the money.  I don't trust them in the slightest.

Scot_39

No reputable company is going to formally accept anonymous contact (as you seem reluctant to provide info to BGas) to change billing records.

Giving your name merely risks a repeat, but opens upman obvious solution, arguably not doing so could guarantee a repeat.

It sounds like you may have used an Octopus "move my supply" type service.  Other suppliers offer similar (*). 
But deviates from the old standard procedure - which would have involved you opening an account with deemed supplier in your name - then and only then - moving that account in your name over.

There have been rare posts here where although moves have appeared to work - old supllier has not closed down account - and parallel bills issued for same supply.

But your concern iis different- as relates to final bill - for old occupant / owner.  Which can occur in old or new systems.

But if they failed to close that account properly and make provision for final billing - I wouldn't say forwarding the bills to them personally guarantees a resolution.

Something you can easily defend against now- before risks any debt pursuit or markers.  But seem unwilling to do so.

(*) I disagree with the convenience given downside risks, potential for false moves, others only see the convenience (I worked temporarily overseas and have seen utility highjacking in a few - signing upto unrelated contracts / promotions giving them permission to move your suppliers - to earn commission)


So who are these old period bill(s) being addressed to ?

And what have you done with it or is it already at repeat attempts so them - to date ?

If you've already hit a normal CS rep wall - formal complaint in writing - yes in your name - is your next step.

Hoenir

Correspondence for the previous occupiers should always be unopened and returned marked "gone away". Might take some time to register but it's the way to deal with it. 

The issuer will have a process/department to handle such matters. 

subjecttocontract

Lewsl said:

subjecttocontract said:

Why not just forward the bill on to the previous owners or return letters to BG marked not at this address, moved.

I feel that telling them repeatedly on the phone serves the same purpose.  If I forward the bills and the company don't pay, BG are still going to endlessly bother me for the money.  I don't trust them in the slightest.

I had a large property portfolio of rentals. Over the years I had exactly what you are experiencing. My fix......which worked for me was to 1. Forward the bills to the previous person. 2. Then after a while return to sender 3. Then if they continued to arrive file them in the waste bin. I never lost any sleep over it & never had any problems. I think you are approaching the issue incorrectly.

pseudodox

Hoenir said:

Correspondence for the previous occupiers should always be unopened and returned marked "gone away". Might take some time to register but it's the way to deal with it. 

The issuer will have a process/department to handle such matters. 

Good luck with that tactic.  I have been returning banking correspondence for the previous occupant of my house for 20 years.  And I know they died about 10 years ago!  I have even handed it in personally to the nearest bank branch, with a remark that they should not be furnishing me with an opportunity to get this persons bank account details, but it never stops.  I even got told the address cannot be removed/changed without the authority of the payee! The future ones will be going in the shredder!

MWT

Lewsl said:

Hi, I purchased a property in May and moved my supply with octopus across to the new house.  I've been getting repeated letters from BG asking for 200quid for the period ending 9th may (my move in date). 

How are they addressed? .. to 'The Occupier' or to a named individual or company?