Hi all
I work for a housing association and we routinely get asked for tenancy date information (name and tenancy start/end date) for new tenants from utility firms.
When a tenant signs up to a tenancy they also sign to say they understand that the above information may be given out to a utility firm if requested so that they can alter their records to show that they have the correct bill payer.
However, it varies considerably between utility firms that are happy to just be given the above information, to the minority that will only alter their records if we give them a tenancy agreement (E-on usually).
I am of the view that being given the name and tenancy start/end date will enable them to progress their side of things. Why do they need the tenancy agreement too? Does this mean they don't believe us that a new tenant has moved in? E-on say that they will not alter their records to record the new tenant's name if we don't give them a tenancy agreement, I consider giving them an agreement excessive. Other utility firms don't require a tenancy agreement. E-on quote the ICO's website: https://ico.org.uk/for-the-public/housing/landlords/ which doesn't go down to that level of detail.
We now have a stalemate and I suspect the only way this may be resolved is if E-on take us to court for non payment of a utility bill (which wouldn't be ours but the tenant's). That said, I can't image a court finding against us if we can prove that we have given E-on enough information to progress their case and alter their records.
Does anyone else have this problem and do you think I am being too protective over our data?
All thoughts gratefully received!
Thanks
Kate
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