Energy supplier opening account in my name
Discussion
The name in the title may sound like a large energy supplier who supplied me at my last address, which I have sold with contracts signed but not exchanged / completed as yet. Should be in the next week or so!
Energy supplier closed the account for my old address, (shows as Closed on their website), on 3/8. They have sent me 2 letters so far, setting me up on a Standard Variable rate, as a Landlord, as they supplied my Tenants previously! It was a private account, never rented out etc. They have now sent me an estimated bill, even though no gas has been used obviously, as 'Somebody has to pay any standing charges!! Their words last week when I complained about it with yet another phone call! Tariq, the guy I spoke to, told me somebody made a mistake when they closed the account, then again, twice, when I complained about the Landlord letters.
Can they just re-activate an account or just set up a new Landlord account without notice or agreement and start sending out bills? Sounds a bit iffy to me!
I'm sure some of the great PH legal minds can advise
Energy supplier closed the account for my old address, (shows as Closed on their website), on 3/8. They have sent me 2 letters so far, setting me up on a Standard Variable rate, as a Landlord, as they supplied my Tenants previously! It was a private account, never rented out etc. They have now sent me an estimated bill, even though no gas has been used obviously, as 'Somebody has to pay any standing charges!! Their words last week when I complained about it with yet another phone call! Tariq, the guy I spoke to, told me somebody made a mistake when they closed the account, then again, twice, when I complained about the Landlord letters.Can they just re-activate an account or just set up a new Landlord account without notice or agreement and start sending out bills? Sounds a bit iffy to me!
I'm sure some of the great PH legal minds can advise
Mod edit. Please do not Name and Shame
Pretty standard unless you shut off services to your property the energy companies will have to do this.
So your tenants moved out settled their account with the supplier.
You have an old account or previous account?
Normally when someone else becomes responsible for the energy they will close your account.
You should really contact them when your property is unoccupied, at that point or they will take your landlord info and setup an account.
Are suggesting there is a data protection issue? Do you think that they should need person to ask before they start charging? How many people would avoid paying on that basis!
So your tenants moved out settled their account with the supplier.
You have an old account or previous account?
Normally when someone else becomes responsible for the energy they will close your account.
You should really contact them when your property is unoccupied, at that point or they will take your landlord info and setup an account.
Are suggesting there is a data protection issue? Do you think that they should need person to ask before they start charging? How many people would avoid paying on that basis!
Edited by surveyor_101 on Tuesday 20th September 08:25
Short Grain said:
The name in the title may sound like a large energy supplier who supplied me at my last address, which I have sold with contracts signed but not exchanged / completed as yet. Should be in the next week or so!
Energy supplier closed the account for my old address, (shows as Closed on their website), on 3/8. They have sent me 2 letters so far, setting me up on a Standard Variable rate, as a Landlord, as they supplied my Tenants previously! It was a private account, never rented out etc. They have now sent me an estimated bill, even though no gas has been used obviously, as 'Somebody has to pay any standing charges!! Their words last week when I complained about it with yet another phone call! Tariq, the guy I spoke to, told me somebody made a mistake when they closed the account, then again, twice, when I complained about the Landlord letters.
Can they just re-activate an account or just set up a new Landlord account without notice or agreement and start sending out bills? Sounds a bit iffy to me!
I'm sure some of the great PH legal minds can advise
As I understand it, you have sold your old home, subject to contract, and have moved out. For some reason the energy company has closed your domestic account and started a new one? Energy supplier closed the account for my old address, (shows as Closed on their website), on 3/8. They have sent me 2 letters so far, setting me up on a Standard Variable rate, as a Landlord, as they supplied my Tenants previously! It was a private account, never rented out etc. They have now sent me an estimated bill, even though no gas has been used obviously, as 'Somebody has to pay any standing charges!! Their words last week when I complained about it with yet another phone call! Tariq, the guy I spoke to, told me somebody made a mistake when they closed the account, then again, twice, when I complained about the Landlord letters.Can they just re-activate an account or just set up a new Landlord account without notice or agreement and start sending out bills? Sounds a bit iffy to me!
I'm sure some of the great PH legal minds can advise
If this is the case a few points come to mind:
1) How did they know you are going to move and how did they get a date?
2) You are responsible until the completion date, so they are correct in the statement about standing charge.
3) You will need to provide the meter readings taken as of the completion date. If there is no use the current would probably suffice.
The contract you had should still be valid, there does not appear to be an explanation as to why it was closed?
MustangGT said:
As I understand it, you have sold your old home, subject to contract, and have moved out. For some reason the energy company has closed your domestic account and started a new one?
If this is the case a few points come to mind:
1) How did they know you are going to move and how did they get a date?
2) You are responsible until the completion date, so they are correct in the statement about standing charge.
3) You will need to provide the meter readings taken as of the completion date. If there is no use the current would probably suffice.
The contract you had should still be valid, there does not appear to be an explanation as to why it was closed?
I would guess he provided final meter readings when he moved out, but in reality he was still the owner so liable for property. Unless the OP is alleging they closed it without any contact with him and now they have opened a new account and he has lost out on the previous terms.If this is the case a few points come to mind:
1) How did they know you are going to move and how did they get a date?
2) You are responsible until the completion date, so they are correct in the statement about standing charge.
3) You will need to provide the meter readings taken as of the completion date. If there is no use the current would probably suffice.
The contract you had should still be valid, there does not appear to be an explanation as to why it was closed?
It not clear to me what his issue is, be helpful if OP could clarify
OldGermanHeaps said:
When I first read the title I assumed a bad tempered working lady had committed identity theft on you, I had my popcorn at the ready.
Nothing as exciting as that unfortunately. The company that has no name according to name and shame rules, led me to believe that the account was closed as per our discussion and a final meter reading on 3rd August. Shows as Closed on their website but I started getting letters saying they'd supplied my tenants previously, so had now set up a new account, in my name, as these tenants had moved out. There have never been any tenants there, just little old me! Never rented it out, never had a Landlords account with this large energy supplier who shall not be named. (shame cos I rather liked my version of their name) 
Spoke to them again today and the customer reference number on the latest estimated bill doesn't exist on their system. The bill no longer exists on their system. According to the girl I spoke to, somebody in their offices had opened a new account in my name, realized they shouldn't have done, and deleted it. (that sounds fishy even as an excuse) Not before 2 letters addressed to me as a Landlord, and an estimated bill had been produced and sent out. Hence the confusion and annoyance on my part!!
I'll pay a standing charge (reduced to £6.50pcm) now they've explained but the fact is they made a mistake in the first place by closing the account. Then just dug their heels in and 'Computer Says No!' 'Kin Idiots! I've now got it in writing that the account is closed, with nothing further to pay! Happy Days
Anyway, Rant Over! (still pissed off my Thread Title was amended though!
) Gassing Station | Speed, Plod & the Law | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff