Rebel energy debt from rental property.

another

Our rental property was switched across to British Gas on 4th January 2024, by our estate agent then returned to octopus on 7th March 2024 whilst the property was vacant. We have recently received a demand for payment from rebel through our estate agent dated 2025. Both our estate agent and octopus have our details but bill was not forwarded to our home residence. In two months that the property was vacant I’m trying to understand why the bill from rebel energy is over £500. Also attempts to contact someone regarding this matter have failed.

Can anyone help, this is strange

TroubledTarts

So did you, oe the estate agents, take meter readings at the end of any tenancy and before the next so you know how many units you are responsible for as the LL and how many days standing charge you are responsible for?

That way with some effort you can then track back and check the bills and dispute as appropriate.

Unless you are a LL that includes all bills?

another

Tennant pays for energy use, estate agent took all meter readings I have dated photos.

TroubledTarts

Well then you have the evidence, the bills will show start and end readings you will have to piece it all together and see where the potential errors are.

In this situation you will have to do the calculating and dispute the bill.

another

the meter readings add up it’s just £500 for less than two months of vacant property gas and electricity?

QrizB

the meter readings add up it’s just £500 for less than two months of vacant property gas and electricity?

Does the Rebel Energy bill not explain how the charges were calculated?

If it does give details, share them here and we can help you understand it.

Also, you've said:

Our rental property was switched across to British Gas on 4th January 2024, by our estate agent then returned to octopus on 7th March 2024

When exactly were you a customer of Rebel Energy? I note they went bust in 2025.

TroubledTarts

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81980980#Comment_81980980

Was the heating set to minimum when the tenants left and if it has an immersion etc was that turned off?

Winter heating springs to mind.

I mean the other explanation if you are sure things were turned off could be a mix up of the meters and paying for another person's energy use.

Scot_39

Do you really mean 2024 and 2024 and 2025 for rebel. If so why now only posting in 2026.

Who are you trying to contact for a Rebel bill - they ceased trading as a supplier over a year ago.

Or do you mean 2026 and just had bill for last 2 mknths - which wouldn't be rebel energy anyway

british gas was appointed solr for rebel energy just over a year ago - your tenant can switch without need of your permission - so could have been rebel up until then - as suspect rebel would have been cheap supplier.

https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/press-release/ofgem-protects-customers-rebel-energy

you or your old tenants were therefore likely switched not by agents but by solr supplier rules.

But your dates dont stack up with solr.

The bills could be real or completely fatuous given tracking histories at some failed supplier handovers. It may even be a scam so check details carefully - but in reality these administrator debt chases can happen years later.

the thing that matters is your readings at the time - or times - you became potentially liable - when your tenants - potentially in past - given rebel failure date - vacated. And presumably from when you notified suppliers the void period before or before previous tenants took over.

£500 isnt a lot for 2 winter months if say heating and hot wafer left on in an empty property at normal or high temps - but abit too high if used insurers min like say 15C - but even then id expect a couple of hundred £s in many cases in 2 colder winter months even on low.

the rebel debt - if genuine - shouldnt that predate solr date ?

So might well include charges going back before BG took on the account due to your previous tenants use. To anytime in preceeding 5 if not 6 years in fact. As administrators will often crawl through accounts for any due funds.

You need to check tenancy and void records - vacated / void / tenant handover dates - period start and end readings and dates against the rebel demand readings and dates.

Assuming you or your agent have always followed proper process - in contract wording and actively registering with suplliers for void periods and new tenants - the bill probably isnt yours to pay and the supplier or their debt agents will likely have to trace / pursue the tenants in situ at time.

(Sorry edited on proper keypad for typos from android )

WiserMiser

Disgruntled tenant left CH on 24/7 with thermostat set to maximum and left hot tap turned on?

Scot_39

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81981323#Comment_81981323

but when - rebel went SoLR a year ago.

The last 2 months if OP meant 2026 for BG and Octopus - and not 2024 - have been few days BG and Octopus if agent did job properly (a risky assumption in my past dealings)