Search UK Ltd - advice would be appreciated

[dollymops01]

Hello. Newbies 1st post.

 

July 2014 I went abroad for a year and a tenant was in my house for that period.

I was up until then using Cooperative Energy for both gas & electricity.

I was paying £130 every month.

I gave final readings on changeover day.

 

A year later, tenant moved out and I moved back in.

Again I contacted Cooperative Energy to transfer it back to my name.

I was amazed - and double checked - when they said it will be £72 per month for both.

Wow I thought prices have dropped!

 

3 months later and 3 payments of £72 made I receive a letter saying I have arrears of £462!

 

 

Naturally I called them to advise there must be an error

- to be told no, it was outstanding from when I lived here before!

I asked how? And said this isn't possible.

And where was the bill?

They said they sent it - 9 months after I went abroad!

 

I told them I genuinely had not received any bill and that I fail to see how this can be right.

The (un)friendly woman just snapped "well its correct and you'll have to pay it as it can't be written off".

I then requested a copy of the bill.

It never arrived.

Just another threatening letter.

 

I called again.

I asked how come it took them 9 months to send a bill and why send it somewhere that I wasn't living?

 

 

Also, when I made contact on my return to the UK why wasn't I informed of this alledged outstanding amount then?

 

I again requested a copy if the bill which never arrived.

 

 

I did however, Ewelme a letter from Search UK Limited saying they now own this debt.

Not sure how to proceed so advice /action recommendations would be gratefully received.

 

Thank you.

 

Apologies it was 2015 I went abroad not 2014!

[maroondevo52]

Hello and Welcome dollymops01,

 

I've sorted out your post a bit, hopefully you will get some help shortly.

 

Regards,

 

Scott.

[dollymops01]

Hi Scott - thanks for the welcome. And also for sorting out my post - did I do it wrong? Lol

[maroondevo52]

Hi Scott - thanks for the welcome. And also for sorting out my post - did I do it wrong? Lol

 

It was all in one large block of text which sometimes put's people off reading it, I've spaced it out a bit to make it easier to read.

I'm not sure if that was the way you typed it but this sometimes happens.

[dollymops01]

Ah I see, well thank you very kindly

[dx100uk]

you can safely ignore UK search

they like any DCA/chasing agent are NOT BAILIFFS

and have

NO SUCH LEGAL POWERS.

 

 

http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?194285-Who-is-UK-Search-Ltd

[dollymops01]

Thank you do 100 uk - but if I ignore them won't they just take me to court? How can I prove I don't owe this money? Do I even have to prove it?

[dx100uk]

go read what I posted again.

 

only the owner of a 'debt' can take anyone to court.

 

and if you read their letter properly it doesn't say WILL anywhere

and

they are operating for their 'client'

the debts owner

 

 

dx

[dollymops01]

Ah I see. Thank you.

[stu007]

Also checked your Credit File to see if there are any markers on it from the Energy Provider?

 

You can do this free:

 

https://www.clearscore.com/

 

https://www.noddle.co.uk/

[dollymops01]

Thanks Stu007 I've checked - no mention of utilities debt on either credit report.