Southern Electric Bill problems

[minwah]

Hi,

I moved into a shared rented house in Feb this year, along with one other person. The previous tennants (including one person who is still a tennant) lived there from April '06 until I moved in. We recently got a bill for £979, which apparently is because the meter was not read since April '06 (until August '07).

Obviously some of this bill has nothing to do with me so I don't want to start paying it. I spoke to Southern Electric who indicated they should be able to split the bill as long as I can send them a tennancy agreement to prove when the tennancy changed. The problem is I was never sent a copy of the tennancy agreement by our agent (Chancellors)...nor were the other current tennants.

So what I am trying to determine is:

a) Should Chancellors have notified Southern Electric of the tennancy change in February? (I think they should have).

b) Can I ask Chancellors for a copy of my tennancy agreement and not have to pay for it? (Knowing them I expect they will try to charge me, although I paid admin fees when I moved it).

c) Should I be trying to sort this out at all or should it be down to Chancellors?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Steve

[wino]

Hi Minwah, I would ask Chancellors for a copy agreement immediatly. You should of got it when you moved in. I presume you did sign one?. Once you have it you can prove to when you moved in. If the meter has not been read for such a long time I can only guess they will read the meter now and divide this amount over the months from April 06 to present. You will be partly responsible for Feb 07 onwards. Scottish electric will probably ask you for the previous tennants forwarding addresses to chase them for the money. Stand your ground and do not be bullied (as if they would do that ) into paying someone elses bill.

A certain gas company (I'll not mention) was chasing my brother in law for an outstanding bill of nearly £1,000 His left his previously rented accomodation and came to stay with me for a short while. Somehow the gas company were given my address and I got phone calls and letters asking me to pay the money. I told them my brother in law had moved on. The next thing was a solicitors letter addressed to me saying I was responsible for the bill. I just wrote back basically telling them 'On your bike mate' and 'Do not contact me again or I will sue for harrassment' It worked they havn't bothered me since.

Let us know how you get on

[minwah]

Hi wino, thanks for your reply!

I have already emailed Chancellors and asked them for a copy of the tenancy agreement...hopefully they will be helpful (although I have a nasty feeling they won't be!). I did sign one when I moved in, which was sent to them...stupidly I did not photocopy this document. That said I assumed some form of confirmation would have been sent to me but it never was (I should have chased this up before in hindsight).

Southern Electric seemed fairly helpful and as long as they get the copy of tenancy agreement then I think it will be OK.

Thanks again, will post back with any progress!