Unpaid bill by tenant

HillStreetBlues

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81891755#Comment_81891755

Law can't always be written with every eventually in mind.
In your case very easy to explain with a bit of knowledge of the legal system. The Golden Rule would apply as that allows judges to depart the literal meaning, as if not the outcome would be absurd.

Bigphil1474

The discussion about opening mail is irrelevant, give it a rest. OP, it may be just as likely that the tenant had a friend, a lover, a relative, or even a neighbour who agreed to pay their energy bill for them - especially if they didn't have a decent credit history - rather than it being some sort of fraud. I would have though it would be difficult for someone to set up a new account with a made up name with absolutely no previous history (address, account etc.) with any energy supplier. It's also possible the energy company have messed up.

Presumably you've not had any other post in that particular name relating to other types of accounts. In our house we have some accounts in my name and some in my partners. Some in their name are paid from my bank account, and some in joint names are paid from their account. It's just how things happened. We aren't tenants so it doesn't really matter to us but I can see how this could have an innocent explanation as much as a not so innocent one. Personally, I would be referring back to the energy company and it's up to them to chase if it's a problem caused by their lack of due diligence to potential fraud.

Bowey123

Many thanks for the comments. I do not care about the liability for the bill. Who does or does not pay is irrelevant to me.

The tenant has been committing various serious crimes in the property. Some financial. Others not. I am trying to put together a portfolio of both financial and other crimes so that prosecution is more likely. Police not very good at getting to the bottom of it.
Whilst it is possible there are innocent explanations for the bill in a fictitious name, it is unlikely given the circumstances.