I am so frustrated with OVO. We moved into a property 12 weeks ago and were already signed up to another supplier. The property is very old and has been vacant for a few years. We started (and are still getting) bills for previous owners. Like others on this site we sent evidence of completion dates, proof of being signed up and billed by our own supplier, and still the matter is not resolved. Our own supplier can see we are registered with them on the central register and not with OVO. We have never defaulted on bill paying. I am so stressed and spent a long time last night sending exactly the same proof again. Twice I’ve had a ‘so sorry we sometimes get things wrong…we’ll be in touch in two days’ and twice I just get more bills. And sometimes I even get, we’re sorry your details don’t match an account with us. No kidding, maybe it’s because I’ve never been an OVO customer. OVO please sort out your practices. Thank you
Why am I receiving bills for previous occupiers?
Best answer by Nukecad
Updated on 01/07/25 by Ben_OVO
If you’ve moved into a house supplied by OVO then you’ll need to set up an account with us so we know that the occupier of the property has changed. You can find everything you need to know in this guide:
Are these bills for the previous owner coming from OVO, or from a debt collection agency?
Are they addressed to the previous owners by name, or just to "The Occupier"?
That sort of thing can happen when there is no contact address/forwarding address for the previous owner.
To explain what is (probably) happening here - and why it’s happening-
It is a part of the legal process for recovering debt through the courts that the debtor has to be billed/contacted at their 'last known address'.
Legally this must be done before matters can proceed to court and a debt recovery order obtained against the debtor (the previous owner/tenant).
Sometimes/often that 'last known address' is a property where they no longer live, but the bills/letters still have to be sent there because it is their ‘last know address’.
Which of course can annoy the people who are living there now. - As it is currently annoying you.
The company/debt collectors involved aren’t doing it to annoy you, nor to chase you for the debt.
They are doing it because legally they have to do it to chase the actual debtor (the previous property owner/tenant) through the court system.
What to do about such letters if/when this happens to you -
If/when you get any letters that are not addressed to you by name then:
If they are addressed to another person by name don't open them and just write clearly on the front of them:
"RTS - Not known at this address".
If they are addressed to “The Occupier” then you can open them and when you see they are not relevant to you re-seal them and write clearly on the front of them:
“RTS - Not intended for current occupier”.
Then in either case simply drop then into any postbox (you don’t need a stamp) to be returned to the sender (RTS).
You may still get a few more, because they have to send certain things before they can go to court, but just do the same and send them back.
They will stop when they have done enough to be able to move on to the court.,
+4Hi
I’m glad to see a couple of our community members have already stopped by with some really helpful advice here.
If you’ve not already set up your own account with us since moving in, you’ll need to get that sorted. You’ll need to let us know when you moved in and set up an account with us here. You can also find a guide for this process on our website here.
Once you’ve put in your new address details the website will recognise we already supply your new home and give you a quote based on the usage figures we have for the property. If you’d prefer, you can also contact our Support Team who can do this process for you.
I’ve also linked below to a couple of similar topics which might also be helpful here:
If you have any issues getting set up, do pop back and let us know.😊
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OVO Energy Ltd, registered office 1 Rivergate Temple Quay Bristol, BS1 6ED, company no. 06890795 registered in England and Wales.
OVO (S) Gas Limited is registered in England and Wales (Company No. 02716495) at 1 Rivergate, Temple Quay, Bristol, BS1 6ED.
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