Debt + Domestic Abuse

[Sproutycakes18]

I was first contacted about a debt owing with EON about Jan of this year, at first I thought it was spam and then realised I had put my name on an account on my ex partners rental property that he was managing at the time on behalf of his Dad. I never took my name off the account presuming the future tenants would put theirs on, except they never did. I know it was stupid of me to presume so but I'd never had to pay bills up until this point.

I contacted EON straight away and explained that I have never lived at this property, yes I'd put my name on the account but my ex partner had asked me too but the relationship was abusive.

I was told to email them and explain the situation, which I did. I received a reply saying to send my exes contact details and they would transfer the account. I then found out after speaking to the debt agency that this was refused on the grounds of no evidence. I was never asked for evidence and never informed it had been rejected.

I was then informed that if I could prove my ex was liable, they would transfer the debt into his name. It was either that or contact my ex partner for him to take on the debt. I found it completely ridiculous that they expected me to go back cap in hand to my abusive ex and ask him to take on the debt. Not only do I not have contact with him, given the circumstances, he doesn't even pay maintenance for his daughter so there is no chance of him taking the debt on.

I managed to recover some old documents relating to the renting of the property which in my eyes went some way to proving he was liable. EON have now said that the documents don't matter and it's a third party dispute between myself and my ex.

It feelsike I'm being left with no choice but to pay the debt. I'm a single Mum, furloughed and on Universal Credit with no maintenance from the ex. Having to pay a debt which is not something I've actually accrued makes me feel sick.

I've found dealing with EON an absolute nightmare, I've been passed from department to department, told one thing and then another and there doesn't seem to be any compassion or empathy given the circumstances. They want their money and that's it.

I'm going to write a letter of complaint to them over their dealing of my case but is there any further advice anyone can offer? Where do I stand legally?

Much appreciated.

Did you ever speak to your GP, social worker or women's aid about the abuse. If so it is worth asking them for records as that could be the evidence they need.

Not sure what you mean that your name was on the account. I'm not a legal person but I would say Eon is in the right about you being liable in their eyes even if morally speaking it is not your debt. Is it a lot of money?

I've got a whole folder of paperwork relating to the abuse but I've never been asked to prove the abuse.

They want their money and that's it.

@Viviennemary

Not sure what you mean that your name was on the account. I'm not a legal person but I would say Eon is in the right about you being liable in their eyes even if morally speaking it is not your debt. Is it a lot of money?

I am aware that technically speaking as my name is on the account I am liable. However with it being a rental property, the responsibility falls to the tenant as per the tenancy agreement and as I wasn't the tenant...

It's about £260.

Usually with a rental property at the end of a tenancy the tenant gives a meter reading and tells the company they are no longer living in the property then a new tenant takes over. Obviously it hasn't been handled properly and you have ended up with the bill because your name is on the account. Why not contact your partners Dad as it was his property. Could that be an option.

@Viviennemary

Usually with a rental property at the end of a tenancy the tenant gives a meter reading and tells the company they are no longer living in the property then a new tenant takes over. Obviously it hasn't been handled properly and you have ended up with the bill because your name is on the account. Why not contact your partners Dad as it was his property. Could that be an option.

His Dad has passed away now.

The tenancy agreement is not EON's problem. They are not party to the agreement, so it isn't binding on them. It is only binding on the landlord and the tenant.

I'm afraid that, once you signed up for an account with EON, you became liable for the bills. You agreed that you would take on the liability for energy usage at this property. They cannot chase your ex for the money as they don't have a contract with him. I understand that you don't like it but I'm afraid EON are right - you owe them the money. Whether your ex should pay you back is a third-party dispute between you and him.

EON should not have told you that they would transfer the debt into his name. They can't do that. And they should have communicated better. But the end result would have been the same. As far as EON are concerned, you are the only person they can chase for this debt.

I'm sorry. I know this isn't what you want to hear. But I'm afraid it is the legal position.

Not a legal remedy I'm afraid but you get in touch with this organisation who may be able to help you get the debt written off.

survivingeconomicabuse.org/talk-money-week-2020-its-time-to-talk-about-coerced-debt/

Taxaid help low income people with tax problems. They have had success in getting tax bills written off when an abusive ex ran up debts in the woman's name.