Octopus "Final notice" letters addressed at landlord keep arriving. Notified him, he's aware and DGAF. What to do?

Posted by Gobliiins@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 14 comments

Recently moved into a new flat, it's postbox flooding with letters from octopus towards my landlord, apparently for an old debt from before i moved in. What to do about this? Mentioned it to the landlord seemed to be aware he just asked me to forward those to his address (?

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14 Comments

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Round_Caregiver2380@reddit

Worst case scenario is baillifs but that's unlikely. Don't let them in but have copy of your ID and tenancy agreement near the door.

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Zanki@reddit

Well my place keeps getting threatening letters from collections after octopus sent the account to them when we didn't know who owed them money. Could have been the previous tenant or the old owner. Now we're having to deal with that. We paid octopus £17 to use them as a provider for less than two days. That's as much as we owe. Now we have to prove we have just moved in and don't own nearly £200. It's fun.

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ShockingHair63@reddit

It's not your problem. Just tell them he doesn't live there.

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uknwr@reddit

If they start receiving a payment from that address they are unlikely to cut you off... That doesn't mean you won't get DC or Baliffs looking for the named debtor... Are you paying them direct or through your landlord?

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mordac_the_preventer@reddit

As well as all the other advice, take photos of your meter readings, especially for moving in and moving out. It seems to be surprisingly common that energy suppliers make mistakes on these (always in their favour, it seems)

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t0b9@reddit

Not your name on it, not your concern. I had the same thing happen when I was at uni, they just went straight in the recycling

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Street_Dingo_9681@reddit

Send them a copy of your tenancy agreement and explain that you are receiving letters for someone that isn’t you. With all the student population and transient population it’s something they’ll have sorted. Are your bills included in your rent?

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WarmFlamingo9310@reddit

Does he live there? If not just tell them he doesn’t.

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rhyithan@reddit

Document the letters, don’t have to open them. Just document and send to your landlord. Then, contact octopus and let them know the situation. They’re pretty good as energy companies go, you should be able to let your landlord fuck his credit and not worry about getting cutoff

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Gobliiins@reddit (OP)

Thanks for your reply. With documenting you mean taking pictures of the letters without opening?

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Legitimate_War_397@reddit

Set up an account with octopus over the phone and give them your landlords home address so they can send the letters to him direct.

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LostBit444@reddit

Phone Octopus energy and tell them whats going on asap. If you receive mail from a debt collection agency, contact them promptly too and explain whats happening. If/when Bailiffs show up, do not let them in your property for *any reason*. Make sure you have copies of your tenancy agreement with move-in dates; council tax bill etc. to show the collectors it’s not *your* debt.

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Trentdison@reddit

Nothing. Just make sure you have your own energy account set up with whoever you want and pay your bills.

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