Debt collector chasing for a bill that’s not mine! Please help!

Nacid

Hi,

A few days ago I received a letter from a debt collection agency that I owe £1000. After calling them I found out that the amount is owned for electricity used on my previous address.

My previous house was shared with 3 people but we moved out at the end of May 2007. The landlord sold the house and probably the new owners when switching their energy supplier gave my name over the phone as the person responsible for the bill (I presume they have seen some junk mail with my name on it).The last bill I‘ve seen for energy was from March 2007 saying “The Occupier”. We used to give all the bills to the landlord as we agreed him to pay all the bills.

Spoke to the supplier and they said that in September someone called them and told them over the phone that I was responsible for all the bills, they sent 2 final bills to my old address and after that gave my details to a debt collector? How come this is possible? In the same logic I can call I tell them that MR X is responsible for the bill.

My problem is that on the last rent agreement it says we the tenants were responsible for the bill but we have given the landlord extra cash to cover those bills and apparently they have not been paid.

The supplier is asking to see some proof that I am not responsible for the bill but if I send the tenancy agreement they will see that I am.

I have proof that we have transferred extra money to cover the bill but it’s getting a bit complicated.

The landlord is untraceable and even if the supplier agrees to put his name on the bill, I am sure he will send the last tenancy agreement once traced and will deny to pay any cash.

What do I do?

Thank you !!!

Terrylw1

Hi,

The Supplier will hold the tenants on the agreement liable for all usage. In their eyes, you have a third party dispute between you and the LL.

The tenancy agreement clearly states it as you say so the Supplier can expect payment and pass this to debt collectors. Keep that tenancy agreement safe and make sure that they amend that debt to reflect all the tenants as you collectively owe this.

Then you all need to agree to pay a portion, most likely just an equal share I guess. Again your Supplier has no interest in your disputes over who uses more than another as it's just not their problem.

Sadly, you have been conned by this LL. You are not the first, I've seen just the situation before.

You need to keep an eye on your Supplier here. If you agree to pay and pay your portion, make sure they record that or remove your name from any account or debt on their systems or with the debt collector that could cause them to continue to chase you.

As far as your money to the LL goes, thats one for legal action really. You need legal advice on that as to whether it could be considered a crime or whether you need to take private legal action. CAB might be worth visiting about that part.

Cardew

As Terry above states, you as one of the tenants using the electricity, are liable for at least part the bills. You need to get the 3 fellow tenants and yourself to pay the bill. If they don't pay, then give their names to the utility company.

Recovering the money is purely a matter between the four you and the Landlord.

If he sold the house he is easily traceable from land registry records. Proving you have been swindled is another matter - take him to the small claims court perhaps?

To be blunt - you are 'stuffed'.

Nacid

[FONT=&quot]Hi,

I managed to put the landlord's name on bill so the bailiff will be looking for him now.

the only problem i see is if he dont want to pay the money and sends the tenancy agreement showing that we were responsible for the bills. (that's the most likely scenario)

to be honest i am just buying myself some time. probably if the bailiffs come back to me i will have to involve the other tenants and pay my share of the bill and recover the money from the landlord trough Small Claim Court.

Fingers crossed

thanks for all the posting!!!



[/FONT]

Plushchris

If he does give them a copy of the tenancy agreement then you should only be liable for a quarter of the bill, thats all you should offer to pay.

At least that cuts the cost down for you then they can chase the others for the rest of the money, probably the best way to get them off your back.