Hi!
I would be very grateful if you could provide me with some advice about an ongoing situation with ScottishPower which has been causing me great distress!
I am afraid it's a long story but I will try to be brief:
Last year, I lived in a 1 bedroom flat for approximately 8 months and within my tenancy agreement it was stated that electricity charges will be paid directly to the landlord.
The landlord never showed me any bills as he claimed he did not receive any bills and instead produced some 'made-up' bills for the amount of £350 for the duration of my tenancy agreement. I approached the estate agency about this matter but they refused to help as the property was managed by the landlord.
Still, I paid all the bills directly to the landlord for the full amount of £350. Two months prior of me leaving the property I received an electricity bill from ScottishPower for the amount of £550. I called them and I explained that I am being charged for electricity by the landlord directly and they said that the landlord needs to contact them. Apparently the acount was opened automatically!
I approached the landlord and he said he would contact them and resolve it.
I moved out of the property and then a couple of weeks later I received the same bill (£550) from ScottishPower. After numerous phonecalls, explaining the situation they assured me that they would remove my name as account holder and that I was not responsible for the bill. A couple of months later I received a letter from a debt collector company as instructed by SottishPower and was threatened with legal action. I called ScottishPower, explained the whole situation again and they asked me to send copy of the tenancy agreement and receipts produced by the landlord (that I paid him directly). I send them a long letter explaining what has been going on and I attached a copy of the tenancy agreement and receipts as requested.
I called them to confirm they received everything and they assured me they did, that I am no longer the account holder and I am not responsible for the bill, but the landlord.
I thought the whole issue was resolved.
A year letter, I come home and I find a letter from a debt collector company as instructed by ScottishPower for the £550 plus £250 for fees or something. I almost had a nervous breakdown! I called them, and they told me I need to contact ScottishPower. I immediately called ScottishPower, explaining yet again the whole story. They confirmed that they have my documentation and they assured me that I am not the account holder and I am not responsible for the bill. I told them I will call in a week the debt collector company to confirm that ScottishPower contacted them to inform them that I am not liable.
I am really at loss about what to do. It is evident that the ex-landlord is playing games. ScottishPower keeps harrassing me and although they offer 'assurances' they are unwilling to put in writing that I am not the account holder and that I am not responsible for the bill.
I am worried that they will keep harrassing me, that 1-2 years down the line I will receive another threatening letter. I am really upset and worried and I feel bullied, harrassed and put under a lot of pressure without any fault of my own.
I am not sure how I am supposed to proceed. I would be very appreicative if you could offer any advice.
Thank you for your patience and apologies for such a long post,
I am looking forward to your responses.
Best,
butoh1
ScottishPower and landlord driving me to depression 
