Estimated bills for empty property

[JollyNewt]

Hello, hope this is the right section for my question: we moved last week into a house that had been empty for 6 months, previously rented and the old owner/ landlord lives abroad. There is a stack of bills from Octopus addressed to "the occupier", with amounts increasing by about £300 a month. I think they must be estimated. Since moving in we have informed Octopus of the date we moved, and given them the meter readings. Will they keep chasing us for the imaginary unpaid ones? I know it's really not for us to pay but anticipating a hassle sorting it out 🙄

Thanks in advance.

Oh should have said, we have informed the estate agent about the bills.

They shouldn’t do no, as you have given your date of moving in, name & readings, you now have your account with them starting from that date and so you’ll be billed for the energy used from that date onwards. Outstanding amounts that pre-date you are nothing to do with you x

No they shouldn't keep chasing you. You are.only liable for energy used from the date you either bought or became tenants in the property. Keep a record of your opening meter reading just in case. They will have set up a new account in your name using that reading and the previous debt will be attached to a seperate account reference i the occupier/landlord name which you arent liable for. They should use your opening meter reading to issue a final bill to the previous owner/landlord. If there was ever any issue you can prove the date you're responsible for the bills for via dated tenancy agreement or completion paperwork. Hope that helps!

Thanks both, that is a relief!

You may get letters but I’d be forwarding these to the estate agent. You are only responsible for the bills since you took over ownership of the property.
The old owners are responsible for those bills.

My son brought an ex rental flat and was plagued by energy companies wanting payment for various ex tenants bills. He stood his ground and took a meter reading on the day of completion. He held his ground and told them to FO. Eventually they went away.