Changing supplier from my ex's name to mine

bobtail · 28th February 2007, 10:44

I am now divorced and my ex has run up some big debts with elec and gas. I need to know can I have the supply cut off and reinstated in my name with new suppliers?

tia

ozzywizard · 28th February 2007, 11:05

Depends on your tennancy agreement, is it in your name or your partners ? dates etc. . . Due to the debt you will probably be asked for this.

bobtail · 28th February 2007, 12:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by ozzywizard

Depends on your tennancy agreement, is it in your name or your partners ? dates etc. . . Due to the debt you will probably be asked for this.

We are the home owners and are both still living at same address

ozzywizard · 28th February 2007, 13:05

Then you probably cannot change it over without accepting the debt.

bobtail · 28th February 2007, 18:15

Meaning? The debt is in her name but you think they will look on it as a joint debt?

welshcakes · 14th March 2007, 07:22

What exactly do you mean by ex - were you ever married or just cohabiting? The definitions of a partner in law normally follow the definitons adhered to by the DWP etc which require there to be a complete severance of financial, sexual and other dependency expectations.

If you're still living together, do you mean does that mean you're on amicable terms but live outside of a relationship? Have you discussed this with your ex and what is their ability to pay? Further, if the debts relate to energy utilised whilst you were living there and whilst you were still in a partnership (which it sounds like it was), it is unlikely you could challenge at least partial responsibility for the debt because, as in divorce, the debt would be considered as accring from something you jointly benefited from.

bobtail · 14th March 2007, 20:05

Yes divorced but living together in the family home. Amicable? depends on the moon i think :P.
The point being If she'd let me know how bad it was I could have helped out and avoided the need for a card meter.

welshcakes · 14th March 2007, 22:06

They will not write off the debts and it really won't be down to the suppliers to mediate between the two of you who or how it is financed. If the account was in dispute ie you were disputing the service or billing received, then I believe it is possible to switch over however since this is not the case, I would concentrate on getting the bills settled as the debt will not go away but the supply of gas and electricity to your home might!

You can then easily set up new suppliers in your name only. At the end of the day, your ex didn't secretly and recklessly use energy behind your back and pointing the finger of blame will achieve nothing but high blood pressure and full moon syndrome!

bobtail · 14th March 2007, 23:56

Thanks for the input, Im not trying to get out of paying the debt I just want and need to make the debt move with her when she leaves as its in her name.
I mean if and when she moves out they will be chasing the occupier which will be me.

demon_x_slash · 15th March 2007, 08:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobtail

Thanks for the input, Im not trying to get out of paying the debt I just want and need to make the debt move with her when she leaves as its in her name.
I mean if and when she moves out they will be chasing the occupier which will be me.

I'm genuinely puzzled by this. You say that the utilities debts are in her name, and therefore she should pay it all, but yet you were living together at the time? So why should your ex be responsible for more than half of the debt? I mean, were you sealed off in the bedroom with a campfire and a rain barrel, while she was in the rest of the house with all the appliances on and the taps running full blast? You were living there - surely you used some of the power/water/gas during that period?

bobtail · 15th March 2007, 09:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by demon_x_slash

I'm genuinely puzzled by this. You say that the utilities debts are in her name, and therefore she should pay it all, but yet you were living together at the time? So why should your ex be responsible for more than half of the debt? I mean, were you sealed off in the bedroom with a campfire and a rain barrel, while she was in the rest of the house with all the appliances on and the taps running full blast? You were living there - surely you used some of the power/water/gas during that period?

Ok when she moves out where does the debt go? its in her name.

ozzywizard · 15th March 2007, 12:58

I think you guys need to communicate and come to some agreement on paying this. It is for energy you have both used and are responsible for. If you dispute the amount owed we can help you, if not then arrange to pay it together at an affordable rate for you both.

demon_x_slash · 15th March 2007, 13:19

...equally...

bobtail · 15th March 2007, 14:01

Ok let me put it like this.....

When she moves out and I have to get a new provider for the gas and electric how do I, if there is a bill outstanding?
I wont be able to pay her bill if its in her name will I?

ozzywizard · 15th March 2007, 15:16

Yes you will, going back to my first statement on communication. work it out

. If you refer to Data Protection Act, a comapny can accept an amount to be paid on somone elses account they just cannot give information out as to how much is owed etc.

bobtail · 15th March 2007, 16:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by ozzywizard

Yes you will, going back to my first statement on communication. work it out

. If you refer to Data Protection Act, a comapny can accept an amount to be paid on somone elses account they just cannot give information out as to how much is owed etc.

Ahh Thats starting to make sense now.
What Im still unsure of tho' is the debt is now paid for by card meters (both gas and electric) and when she leaves I want to change providers, how will this happen?

thanks for all your inputs
sorry if i come across as a bit thick and trying to leave my ex wife in debt (Im not either) I just want the suppliers to send me the bills in my name and hopefully without having to have card/key meters

ozzywizard · 15th March 2007, 16:25

To be honest it cannot be done short of deception. The prepay meters have a debt set that is in the current occupiers name. If the debt is paid in full then the debt will be removed or if you provide evidence you are a new occupier then the debt will be removed but then the debt will be passed onto a DCA who will hound your wife for the amount owed which is seriously not good or a preferred option for anyone. Do the right thing and carry on paying it week by week through the meter or pay it in full pending financial position to do this.

bobtail · 19th March 2007, 10:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by demon_x_slash

I'm genuinely puzzled by this. You say that the utilities debts are in her name, and therefore she should pay it all, but yet you were living together at the time? So why should your ex be responsible for more than half of the debt? I mean, were you sealed off in the bedroom with a campfire and a rain barrel, while she was in the rest of the house with all the appliances on and the taps running full blast? You were living there - surely you used some of the power/water/gas during that period?

I was not living in our home from july to november which during this time she got into difficulties and without seeking advice allowed meters to be installed.
So now Im back and single I would like to change suppliers to a cheaper tarriff and use the savings to pay off the debt.

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