BW legal , Threating to taking me to court

Fr34k31

So, BW has sent me a notice to pay British gas bill of 1700 that I didn't use. I never was British gas customer before February this year. I lived in a room for a two three months that was above a shop. I used to pay 200 pound a month that included the rent and energy bills as well and I shared the room with another student. I was a student too. there was no rental agreement or anything. Its just we were asked to pay 200 each and we payed. I had no address so I put that address in my bank. after few month my credit file stated show an energy bill of 1700 pound that I never used. I don't know what to do really stressed about it. When I became customer with British gas I told them about this discrepancy to one of the customer agents but they never contacted me again. I dont know what to do and how to prove this. need help please I am really stressed.

Devongardener

You need to clarify the situation, have you received a detailed bill from BG which shows the property address, registered account holder, dates and units used?  If it doesn’t show your name you are not liable for the charges.     Who were you paying the £200 a month to?
Did your new account with BG start when the moved to your current property?
What have you actually received from the debt collection agency?

Scot_39

This sounds potentially nasty.

It seems likely you are potentially being pursued for someone else's debt - its unlikely your fair share would be anywhere near £1700 - even if you were liable - as I fear without any agreements - you might have trouble proving your rent covered your share. Although I suspect if push came to shove - and this was ever actioned and taken to arbitration / court - a judge / arbiter would probably side with you on the basis of reasonable probability.

How far along in the debt process are you - are you in the initial demand stages - or has it reached notice of court action ?

When you say paid £200 - was that cash in hand - to one of the other residents - so you were subletting from someone with a tenancy agreement - or was everyone paying to someone claiming to be the landlord in person etc - or was it paid electronically so you have some traceability ?

You really need proper advice on this - possibly even legal advice - but I'd probably be starting by contacting citizens advice or an energy debt charity.

UK debt law and tenancy law is complex.

BG have identified you - and possibly you alone - as liable for that £1700.

If it covers dates when you were not resident 

Your defenses might include proof of other addresses before and after - anything official - like you moved bank to this one - others ?

Council / govt / part time employers / university records - anything official addresses with dates ?

Anything that can corroborate your story will help.

HillStreetBlues

First step would be a "prove it" letter (have a Google).