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Hemiola
Rank 1
September 6, 2026

Previous tenant's unpaid bill

  • September 6, 2026
  • 4 replies
  • 52 views

Ovo has instructed a debt collection agency to recover a previous tenant's unpaid bill.

I have an account with Ovo and pay my bills promptly.

Ovo have have been sending me letters regularly about the previous tenant’s unpaid bill since I moved to my current address nearly 4 years ago. The letters are addressed to the occupier (I am the occupier) demanding that this outstanding bill (around 2k) be paid

I’ve spoken to Ovo numerous times about this, most recently at the end of July. They assured me that I am not responsible for the previous tenant’s bill and that they would stop sending me these letters. They haven’t and the letters are becoming more threatening.

Surely Ovo know that I am the occupier, given that they supply my energy, and am not responsible for paying for energy used by the previous tenant given that they are my energy supplier?

Does anyone have any advice? Should I make an official complaint? Contact the Ombudsman? Move to a different energy supplier?

4 replies

Firedog
Super User
FiredogSuper User
Super User
September 6, 2026

It looks like ​@Nukecad, our resident debt advisor, has gone down the pub, but I’m sure he’ll be back in the morning. Meanwhile, you might find his article on this topic very useful:
 

That’s about the next stage, when OVO have given up trying to collect. 

If OVO Support aren’t being helpful, then yes, you should enter a formal complaint. You should do this in writing - e.g. by email to complaints@ovoenergy.com - explaining your problem in detail. The procedure is laid out here: Want to make a complaint? | Our complaints procedure | OVO Energy.

Noel | I have no official status; I'm just a volunteer who comes here to help other customers. My gear: Aclara SGM 1416-B Electricity-only E7 meter; Chameleon IHD3-PPMID-AAA | It may look as if I know what I’m talking about, but don’t let that fool you. |
    Newcomer
    Lpen
    Newcomer
    September 6, 2026

    Write to Holly Thomas of the Money section of The Times. If she takes your case she’ll soon sort and get you compensation. 

    Nukecad
    Super User
    NukecadSuper User
    Super User
    September 7, 2026

    Annoying when you keep getting these collection letters isn’t it?

    I see that Firedog has already given you a link to the article I wrote about dealing with such letters.

    If you follow the advice there then you should be able to stop them.

    Remember that no matter what the letters threaten they cannot take“The Occupier” to court it has to be a named person, courts will only issue CCJ’s against a named person who the collection agency can show owes the debt.

    I said, Hey - Watts going on.
      Ben_OVO
      Community Manager
      Ben_OVO
      Community Manager
      September 7, 2026

      Welcome to the Forum ​@Hemiola, and thanks for your advice on this one ​@Firedog ​@Nukecad and ​@Lpen.

       

      ​@Hemiola sorry to hear about this - very frustrating when these letters keep arriving. Please be assured that there will be no black marks or action against your name whatsoever. These comms are automated, and sent as part of the collections cyle.

       

      As ​@Firedog suggests - please log a complaint about this. You can find our complaints process here.

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