how to stop threatening letters - Scottish Power

YBR

My mother has recently moved house and the previous occupant were with Scottish power so she's done the meter readings and her new account is set up, all good.

But there is an outstanding bill £65 ish from prior to her moving in, and Scottish Power are writing to "the occupier" threatening debt collectors. It's not her account number and the previous resident having died, I guess their estate needs to pay; we don't have contact details. Having phoned SP, mum has done as instructed and returned the letters to sender, but the letters keep coming. Mum's getting feeling threatened and getting stressed.

Is there a way to stop these letters coming? to force SP to acknowledge and log on their system that she's not responsible and they need to look elsewhere?

elsien

Just bin them. Debt Collectors have no power anyway.

Robin9

Follow their complaints procedure

EssexHebridean

she could pass the letters to the selling estate agent or letting agent and ask them to forward them to either the seller or to the landlord. They might, or might not, and if they do, then the person responsible may or may not do anything to settle the debt, but she doesn’t have anything to lose by trying,

fatbelly

It is difficult as SP are probably the most incompetent organisation in the UK. She should definitely not feel threatened but should follow what @Robin9 suggests and formally complain

https://www.scottishpower.co.uk/support-centre/complaints

by sending an email.

DO NOT be tempted to pay this because it'S JUST £65

[Deleted User]

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6656631/how-to-stop-threatening-letters-scottish-power

I know this may sound strange, but the only sure way to stop the letters is to ensure SP receive the money they are demanding, or at least be made aware of the debtors current whereabouts.

I understand your mother probably does not want to pay as she knows she does not owe the money.

Similarly, SP knows your mother does not owe the money, otherwise they would address the letter to her by name.

But SP are doing what they need to legally to ensure they can collect the money from the debtor when they discover their current whereabouts. (or even in some cases the identity of the debtor)

In what way does your mum feel threatened by the letters?

But if your mother is feeling threatened and stressed, you may decide for the sake of £65 to give your mum the peace I know you feel she deserves.

But rest assured, whatever the letter may state, no debt collector will attend the property to collect a debt addressed to 'the occupier'. The worst they may do is send another letter, but usually they do not even pursue debts addressed to 'the occupier' at all. Their initial role will primarily be to assist SP to identify the current address of the debtor.

You say you/your mother does not know the whereabouts of the former occupant?

Did she buy the property, or is she renting?
If she bought the property, surely she knows who she bought it from?
If she is renting, have you/your mother asked the landlord if they know the former tenant's whereabouts? It's unlikely they don't, or otherwise are probably just as keen as SP to discover it.
(If the landlord knows but will not divulge those details to you, perhaps for privacy reasons, pass the letter to the landlord and let them deal with it by informing SP direct)
How do you know the former occupant is deceased?

• in the case the former occupant is deceased, reference to the former occupant, former tenant or debtor above should include their appointed representative. e.g. their executor, administrator, etc.

If you/your mother really are unable or unwilling to assist SP, then you should do as they have said and return the letters marked "Return to Sender - Not intended for the current occupier". It may stop the letters eventually, or it may not. But nothing ventured, nothing gained.

EssexHebridean

I understand your mother probably does not want to pay as she knows she does not owe the money.

Similarly, SP knows your mother does not owe the money, otherwise they would address the letter to her by name.

But SP are doing what they need to legally to ensure they can collect the money from the debtor when they discover their current whereabouts.

But if your mother is feeling threatened and stressed, you may decide for the sake of £65 to give your mum the peace I know you feel she deserves.

Under NO circumstances should the OP’s Mum pay a debt that is not hers - that is truly bad advice! Admitting liability for someone else’s debt simply for “a quiet life” is never a good idea.

[Deleted User]

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81896753#Comment_81896753

Excuse me?

I didn't actually say the OP's mum should pay the debt

Nor did I give advice in that regard; I simply made a suggestion to the OP to help alleviate/eliminate the current threat and stress the OP's mum is said to be under.

Arguably, both the above are moot points

Paying off someone else's debt does not admit any ongoing legal or financial liability if done correctly ;)

Suggesting it does is just scare mongering.

Creditors are typically willing to accept payments from any third parties, as they are more concerned with receiving the funds, not the source. (assuming AML regulations do not kick in)

SAC2334

When you agree to buy or rent a property the new occupier becomes the tenant the day they sign the tenancy agreement or becomes the new owner .You are then liable for the bills from that date and not when you move in and pass the threshhold . It could be months before you even get the keys to enter or get everything sorted to move in .

It does not matter if you are not using any energy but you are responsible for the daily standing charges which can be around £1 a day .

t0rt0ise

You don't pay money for a bill that isn't yours. That's a ridiculous suggestion. Raise a formal complaint and if they don't sort it within 8 weeks go to the Ombudsman.

YBR

So to reply to some points

• No mum is not going to pay the bill, it is from before she purchased the property.
• Though rationally she knows the threats are not at her, emotionally she's affected because it's not going away as it should.
• She did move in a day after completion, but that doesn't make a £65 bill - it would be pennies.
• The previous owner died so his estate needs to pay the bill. In terms of the purchase, I think we only have details of "estate of the late Joe Bloggs" kind, not contact details of the Executor(s).
• There's a local warden but he doesn't know contact details either, it's from him we have the little information about the previous occupant.

It occurs to me that the warden may know more than he is saying, correctly not passing on contact details. Maybe mum should ask if he can forward a letter instead of for contact details.

So apart from that, it's a complaints procedure and a bit of confidence that a debt addressed to occupier, with out a proper name, can't be enforced.

Thank-you all.