I have a similar issue with my utility provider in London were the previous tenant didn't pay the bill and the wouldn't allow me to open a new contract on the s

I have a similar issue with my utility provider in London were the previous tenant didn't pay the bill and the wouldn't allow me to open a new contract on the same address until previous contract on that meter was paid. They even went so far to send the same bills to 'occupiers of address X' trying to let me pay the £1800 electricity bill.