Tenants left with electric meter broken?

Tenants left with electric meter broken?

11:30 AM, 21st December 2022, About A year ago 12

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I had tenants move out with no notice, and no keys returned.  Eventually, I decided they were not coming back as they cancelled the Council Tax and I was told they had been given a council property.

The gas and electric meter are key top-up payment types and the gas is a top-up card. I have realised now both are not actually working, and can not be topped up, although Gas and Electric are actually on, meaning they had free utilities for god knows how long when they were tenants.

A letter has now arrived saying energy has been used at the property but no payment has been made to cover it.

Their options in the letter are: In 28 days time providing the property is still supplied by E energy, we will investigate one or more of the below

* Instruct a representative to call to carry out a revenue inspection investigation
* Recover through an alternative meter
* Disconnect supply

Any ideas on what to do? can I change providers?
Any suggestions would be appreciated

Graham


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Comments

Mairym Shabnem

23:16 PM, 24th December 2022, About A year ago

My pay as go meter had error as they had not paid and I had to pay I don’t know how this was. They left without notice never paid the outstanding 6 month rent. Home was damaged and left behind unwanted furniture I had paid for all the damages It cost me thousands. There should be a law for this no one responsible for this not even the letting agent or the tenants when you full prove of this. The tenants should pay for the damages as for the damaged meter the people who are doing this type of damage should pay for it you should show when they left and get a letter from letting agent to trace them

Smartbutcasual

11:59 AM, 7th January 2023, About A year ago

Reply to the comment left by TheMaluka at 22/12/2022 - 10:05
I'm not 100% but I think your home may be classed as an empty property which means you the owner is liable for the council tax not sure how it works if tenancy agreement but I would check with your local c.tax office and give them details of renters and when they left as like you said they may have not paid for any gas, electric they may not have paid c.tax unless that was included in the rent payments.
Did they pay you directly rent or was it from benefits you should be able to find out.
If you are going to re rent.
You would be best asking for prepayment smart meters for gas and electric they can only use what they pay for however if you dont want to put a credit payment in with british gas a credit report will be carried out not sure if it's on you or the tenants. If you don't want prepayments in you will be liable for any outstanding monies..on moving any other tenants in take meter readings of each meter on day of them moving in and ring your providers.

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