buchanan clark and wells and utility bills

[Milo68]

Hi,

First post. My son shared a house as a student, I was guarantor (never again) in a joint and several agreement. The other two parties left without paying the rent and I copped for it, not good.

The agreement was he had the small room and wasn't on the utility bills, just the phone and BB, which he paid.

Now buchanan clark and wells have said they are sending a Doorstep Agent round and have addressed to letter to my son and the other two parties at my house.

They say he has to pay up as utility bills are "implied" and therefore he's liable ?

His name wasn't on the bill, but they said the other parties can add it ?

Where do I stand ?

I asked them to send the bills through to see what's what.

Help ...

[Milo68]

Re: buchanan clark and wells and utility bills

Getting confused

[dan_1207]

Re: buchanan clark and wells and utility bills

Ideally, we need to see the agreement that your son has. In the event that each student is held jointly and severally liable, he may well face a bill for the full sum.

[FlamingParrot]

Re: buchanan clark and wells and utility bills

Hi,

First post. My son shared a house as a student, I was guarantor (never again) in a joint and several agreement. The other two parties left without paying the rent and I copped for it, not good.

The agreement was he had the small room and wasn't on the utility bills, just the phone and BB, which he paid.

Now buchanan clark and wells have said they are sending a Doorstep Agent round and have addressed to letter to my son and the other two parties at my house.

First of all, let me put your mind at ease. Doorstep agents are nothing to worry about, they are NOT bailiffs and haven't got any rights. There's no obligation to open the door to them, let them in or talk to them. Also debt collectors often threaten to send doorstep agents round but most of the time they are just threats, it's a lot cheaper sending a letter than sending an actual collector.

You say your son wasn't on the utility bills, it sounds like they've just got hold of all the names and are going round them all to see who bites and pays up.

Do we know which company is BCW collecting on behalf of?

[Milo68]

Re: buchanan clark and wells and utility bills

Thanks all,

Southern Electric

The Tenancy was Joint & Several, but stated that all bills were NOT part of that agreement.

[dan_1207]

Re: buchanan clark and wells and utility bills

Thanks all,

Southern Electric

The Tenancy was Joint & Several, but stated that all bills were NOT part of that agreement.

Then I can't see how your son is liable?

[Milo68]

Re: buchanan clark and wells and utility bills

BCW say because he was there it's "Implied". They said no one "signs up" to a utility bill ?

They aren't overly nice people by the sounds of things.

Surely one has to agree to be in a contract ?

[Milo68]

Re: buchanan clark and wells and utility bills

Looks like someone just added his name to the bill after he'd left,

Need to understand if this "Implied contract" holds any water. Will call the utility company and ask how they think it's ok to add a name and refer to a DCA ...

thanks for help so far.

[catherine]

Re: buchanan clark and wells and utility bills

No BCW are total a* holes! theyv`e been after me for months about a bill that I can`t possibly owe, despite several emails to them & the company they represent.

[Mineral1]

Re: buchanan clark and wells and utility bills

Tell them to either go get a court claim going in which case you will defend or to shift their hook off your doorstep
They can't imply anything, please scan the agreement and load it up blank out any personal info though
Need to see this

[nemesis45]

Re: buchanan clark and wells and utility bills

With BCW I find that if one makes a formal complaint, they often just don't reply and are never heard of again.

nem