Question re Airticity Deposit

CaoimheSquee

A colleague of mine (non boardsie) has just moved out of rented accommodation to a property she bought before Christmas.

The electricity was in her name (with Airtricity) in her rented accommodation and she arranged to get transferred it to her new address. While doing so she asked could her deposit paid back in 2012 when opening the original account be transferred to the new account and they advised there was no need as because she owned the property there was no deposit needed and it would just be refunded to her. They advised that it would be processed and sent out to her.

She gave authorisation to a housemate to take on the account who has since tried to negotiate a better deal with Airtricity to no avail and which has resulted in him now cancelling the account and going with another provider.

My colleague has now been told because of this she will not get her deposit back.

Anything that can be done here?

Thanks!

slimjimmc

When she transferred the account to her housemate (who presumably is not a co-owner) what was the agreement between her, the housemate and Airtricity regarding the deposit? Have Airtricity confirmed they have transferred the deposit to the housemate's account.

General T&Cs

15. Assignment
15.1 This Agreement is personal to You and You may only transfer it to someone else with Our prior consent.
15.2 We may, without Your consent, assign or transfer all or any part of our rights and
subcontract any of our obligations under this Agreement to a party that holds the
necessary authorisation(s). Your rights under clause 15.1 will not be affected.
15.3 On assignment or transfer,We may handover Your security deposit to the party mentioned in clause 15.2 or credit it to You.

CaoimheSquee

The agreement when transferring was that they would send the deposit directly to her. They advised it was being processed.

However, when she followed up on the deposit after a week or so they said she was not receiving it now as the housemate she transferred the account to was looking to cancel and close the account and go elsewhere. So the deposit is going to no one now.

slimjimmc

Has she ask them what is their basis for refusing to return the deposit to anyone. Simply saying the housemate is cancelling the account is not sufficient, they need to point to some written terms and conditions or signed agreement.
I suggest she open a formal complaint with Airtricity and if that doesn't resolve the issue she can then ask CER to get involved.
https://www.sseairtricity.com/ie/home/about-us/customer-charter-and-codes-of-practice/complaint-handling/
http://www.cer.ie/customer-care/complaints

CaoimheSquee

Thank you so much - will indeed try that.