Not receiving any electricity bills?

Question

Here's the thing. I live in a rented flat. The electricity bill has been unsettled for almost 2 years now. The previous tenant hasn't paid any elecrity because the bills were addressed to an even earlier tenant (who apparently disappeared without paying the rent or the council tax or the energy bill...)
So the previous tenant contacted the electricity supplier but got nowhere. I wrote them a few emails and got nowhere. They say they are not my energy provider, but at the same time they send out bills.
When they sent a warning about cutting the electricity off, the landlord contacted them, gave them the serial number of my meter and all... they said they'll send me a "welcome" pack (in MY name) in 28 days... I never received anything.

What can I expect to happen?
Anyone here with a similar problem?

Answer 1

as others said you need to phone an energy supplier if your choice and inform them of the date you moved in and the reading on the meter on that date. then all charges before that date can not be charged to you no matter what.
if you have mailed the company concerned several times on the matter then either you have not contacted the right electricity company or the company you contacted has failed to make the required change on the system.
you need to contact the company again. if that fails contact your local C.A.B. office for help.
failing that email BBC watchdog (in the UK).
if you have not registered on the day you moved in with an energy company they will say they are not YOUR provider. they are though the previous tenants supplier.
when did you request the pack?
28 days minimum you should allow up to twice this time before panicking. as the delay could be down to any number of problems.
good luck.
you should also inform the gas company of your choice that from X date you moved in and this was the reading on the meter.
your water company should also be informed unless your landlord pays for this (and you pay via your rent).
don't forget your TV licence (in the UK) you need it to watch any video broadcast of comercial video on both your TV and your computer as well as to recieve DVB-Radio for example.
so many damn bills so little money where does it end! and why do we pay so damn much?
sorry for the rant.

good luck,

Answer 2

i had a similar problem. you need to call the power co. and find out if you have an account with an account number. screw a welcome pack. there is no reason you should have to deal with the nonsense from the previous customer. make sure they have your correct address. no more e-mails. you need to CALL. these people only respond to urgency from a real person. there is a possibilty that they dont bill monthly, maybe bi-monthly but u need to be aware of all these things. they will shut ur power off with NO REMORSE. if they are anything like the electric co. where i live, they have the market cornered and do not value ur business. they just want their money. tell them you need an up to date statement for all the time you have resided there and give exact dates. good luck and keep after the bastards or they will screw u.

Answer 3

(If you're in the UK )
As the previous respondent mentioned, if you can, go to your local CAB - Citizens Advice Bureau who will contact them on your behalf, and persist yourself. Call centre staff are mixed in their abilities and interest, so keep calling. Ask for different sections, eg. the section for change of payment methods, sales etc.

And write:

Send a recorded delivery letter detailing your information and make clear your separation from any previous tenant. If you can get a letter from your landlord confiming this, copy it to them, all the better.

Check which Energy Supplier you really want to be with. Nearly all provide a discount for monthly payment by direct debit - which you aren't doing, so you could well be better off switching. www.moneysavingexpert.com provides info on this, as well as links to comparison sites. There are £15 / £30 cashbacks if you change via this method.

They will enforce disconnection, so keep writing recorded delivery letters demanding this be sorted.

Good luck! Rob

Answer 4

In my opinion, as long as you've got copies of all your correspondence to them, then surely you've done enough. Keep enjoying the free power. If they do get nasty, bring out your copies of the letters and shove it up their Corporate noses.

Answer 5

keep going or you end up with a whacking great bill you can't be charged for a previous tennants debts so you are in the clear carry on!

Answer 6

Yay! more spending money!
seriously, you have to phone the electric co and tell them the date and reading you moved in good luck x

Answer 7

No it is not that they consume electricity produce by themseleves