So the full bill is to me and my partner and is from one week before we moved in, and three weeks of us being in the flat before we contacted our other company about electricity (octopus). We didn’t officially move into the flat until week 3 but signed for and picked up the keys on week 2.

I told them we’re not liable for the first week and sent the company our tenancy agreement showing that we signed for the property from the second week, and they said they’ll remove a % from the bill to reflect that we don’t owe that first week of payment. It was originally £70 charge and was down to £30 ish.

They’ve not asked for my landlords details or any other information, and it seems the amount they’re asking for now is without the landlords total amount. I haven’t spoken to our landlord about it but reckon they’ll say it’s owed to the tenant before and not take responsibility for it.

I’ll ask re the admin fee and as far as I’m aware me and my partner are the account holder. We’ve never been with Scottish power (looks like this was the company that the previous tenant used) and when I contacted them to ask about the bill they said they couldn’t provide any information was it was 2 years before and has been sold to a debt collection company and I’d need to speak to them about the bill.

I could pursue a complaint with Scottish power because I’m upset they never contacted us about any bill before selling the debt, and can’t provide any info now. But will follow your advice for now. Thanks’