Eskom - Collecting Old Debt

Emjay

Emjay

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Hubs and I bought a house over 5 years ago. When we initially bought it, we paid monies directly to Eskom on that owner's account until the old owner signed the Move Out form, which took a while. We then settled the old account and started afresh on our own account. The account has always been up to date, but now Eskom are somehow telling us we owe them a few months' usage on the old owner's account.

We don't have access to those old banking statements as we have moved away from that bank, and Eskom are not providing us with statements. I am outright rejecting this as I believe it's not our issue.

Anyone have a similar story and how you have dealt with it?
 
Did you live in the house at said time? Is the account in the old owners name? If so, they should go after the old owner as it's in his name.
 
Lupus said:
Did you live in the house at said time? Is the account in the old owners name? If so, they should go after the old owner as it's in his name.
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We were in the house at the time and were paying religiously. When we finally got the move out, we were there to close the old account and open the new.

It's over 5 years ago. We have asked for a full statement of account months a number of times, and they keep insisting that we go in. It's just supremely frustrating because it's so long ago. They won't even let us know what the amount due is. If it's our due, that's fine. I just feel like they are taking the piss out of us.
 
Emjay said:
We were in the house at the time and were paying religiously. When we finally got the move out, we were there to close the old account and open the new.

It's over 5 years ago. We have asked for a full statement of account months a number of times, and they keep insisting that we go in. It's just supremely frustrating because it's so long ago. They won't even let us know what the amount due is. If it's our due, that's fine. I just feel like they are taking the piss out of us.
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Doesn't electricity debt prescribe after 3 years? Don't acknowledge that you owe it.
 
Emjay said:
We were in the house at the time and were paying religiously. When we finally got the move out, we were there to close the old account and open the new.

It's over 5 years ago. We have asked for a full statement of account months a number of times, and they keep insisting that we go in. It's just supremely frustrating because it's so long ago. They won't even let us know what the amount due is. If it's our due, that's fine. I just feel like they are taking the piss out of us.
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Well, if they do not even know the amount due, then you cannot even pay them. And prescription probably also applies anyway,
 
Yeah prescribed... Tell them you owe them fsck all.. They closed the old account therefore it was paid up at the time..
 
Yeah goodluck telling them to f off. They will just cut u off. You will have to go in and suck some drone's dick to get this resolved
 
No that debt does not prescribe. if it falls under municipal category. Then it is 25 years.
 
Magnum said:
No that debt does not prescribe. if it falls under municipal category. Then it is 25 years.
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You also need to be aware that not all debt prescribes after three years. Retail debt relating to credit cards, personal loans, gym contracts, cellphone accounts, electricity accounts and school fees, prescribes after three years. However, debt relating to home loans, money due to the South African Revenue Service, municipal rates and TV licences prescribes after 30 years.
https://www.iol.co.za/personal-finance/prescription-of-debt-what-you-should-know-14728532
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Don't post if you are going against multiple people in the thread and don't have a source.
Municipal is not a category, municipal rates is, which includes water I think but not electricity.
 
Emjay said:
We were in the house at the time and were paying religiously. When we finally got the move out, we were there to close the old account and open the new.

It's over 5 years ago. We have asked for a full statement of account months a number of times, and they keep insisting that we go in. It's just supremely frustrating because it's so long ago. They won't even let us know what the amount due is. If it's our due, that's fine. I just feel like they are taking the piss out of us.
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why were you paying an account that was not in your name?
you only liable from when it was transferred to you , it's the old owners debt not yours
 
You have no debt or liability unless Eskom provide the statements of what they are looking to claw back that needs to check out obviously. If this was not a minimum requirement then anyone would just phone anyone else and tell them they need to pay Rx without any evidence.

Also do you recall how long ago this random outstanding balance date from ?

Did Eskom or any debt collector contact you at all over phone having you confirm that you have outstanding debt or by written notice in mail within the last 3 years(cant remember exactly but I think its 3 or 5years) ?

If any of this did not happen then you simply tell them you owe them nothing and hang up if they insist on pestering you. Outstanding balance or no outstanding balance it prescribed.

Oh and last thought. They obviously received your payment each month considering your power stayed on and unless you live in Soweto they would cut you off within the month of non payment.
 
Legally. Why did you pay their bill. When we bought a house under eskom, the disconnected the previous owner account, by the evening they reconnected ours (After we had to pay eskom a deposit of R3k. which they still have). from there on, the bills all got sent to us.

Also maybe fwd them your transfer documents.
 
isie said:
why were you paying an account that was not in your name?
you only liable from when it was transferred to you , it's the old owners debt not yours
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Because it will not be transferred to you while there is debt and also might be cut off. What would you do given my statement? Sit in the dark?
 
supersunbird said:
Because it will not be transferred to you while there is debt and also might be cut off. What would you do given my statement? Sit in the dark?
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This would be what the transfer attorney get paid to sort out- - The guy they purchased from dragged his heels .
- when i moved it didn't take long honestly was a day or 2 and it was done (eskom were pretty quick) previous owner went in closed the account called me - i went in and opened the account the next day - wham bam finished-

I'm speculating but looks like the OP paid all that time and when the guy finally transferred he got a nice big refund cheque with whatever the OP paid - and now Eskom want their money.
 
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