No Electricity Bill for 7 Years: Scotland

Leblanc_2 · 21 October 2006 at 11:33AM

My elderly mother (80s) has not had an electricity bill for over 7years.
When this was discovered a relative attempted to sort it out but got nowhere.
I don't know all the circumstances as I have just returned from abroad.
My mother does not even know which supplier she is with, and there are no letters around the house as far as I can determine.
I feel this really needs to be sorted out but am concerned about a possible massive arrears payment my mother may need to pay.
I am seeking advice on the best way to proceed.

Gal · 21 October 2006 at 11:43AM

where abouts in scotland is she?

There are 2 distributors that you can call there local M Line services to see who is supplying

Scottish Power - 0845 270 9101 (Area 18)
Scottish Hydro - 0870 900 9690 (Area 17)

Ring them with the postcode and house number and they can tell you who the supplier is.

Fran · 22 October 2006 at 12:24AM

Someone should take advice from Citizens Advice to make sure she gets the best possible outcome before contacting the suppliers.

Leblanc_2 · 22 October 2006 at 11:47AM

Thanks for the info thus far.

Can anyone advise on what usually happens with this level of arrears?

Fran · 22 October 2006 at 12:01PM

Just to add that Citizens Advice can negotiate with the company on her behalf, it is possible that if it's complicated and the company is fair that some of the bill could be dropped. CAB often get a result where the customer doesn't. It might be worth contacting older persons charities in her area too to see what has happened in the past.

seaniboy · 22 October 2006 at 12:04PM

debt collection no doubt !!!! so get legal advise/CAB b4 you let Scot power/Hydro electric know anything !

djohn2002uk · 22 October 2006 at 3:13PM

Al_Mac wrote:

I thougt, in England anyway, the maximum they could go back was three years:o

I think that the same law applies in Scotland too. The only way in which I differ is that I thought if there had been no contact for a number of years the company can only bill for 2 yrs. And in the next year this is to be reduced to 1 yr. So it may be worth checking this out to be sure and then doing nothing untill it is reduced.

Ken68 · 22 October 2006 at 3:24PM

If a relative has already tried to sort the problem, the people who Gal suggests perhaps know about the issue, and if they have done nought, best to mention this when talking to CAB.

skim · 22 October 2006 at 3:47PM

I didn't have an elctricity bill for about 9 years.

They tried to bill me for nearly £1400 but I got them down to £800 & pay it back over 3 years. I played on the fact that I informed them numerous times & they didn't do anything about it but to be honest I didn't but they couldn't prove what I had done 9 years ago!!

I've heard since that some people have had the same happen & they managed to not pay anything - think they complained about all the stress it caused etc.

Gal · 22 October 2006 at 4:14PM

The numbers that I put are for there local mpas enquiries not for the actual suppliers. all they will advise is who the suppliers are, not take any action for the bills that have not been recieved.

alan99_2 · 22 October 2006 at 8:21PM

Hi

Al Mac

I thougt, in England anyway, the maximum they could go back was three years

As well as following the good advice on this board to see the CAB , dont contact the electric co.

I am no lawyer ,but in England, I think there is a statute of limitations on civil debt recovery of 7 years. So as a backstop to Al Mac above : they cannot legally chase or sue for a debt over 7 years old.(I think)

(so just lie low for some more years !)

Alan

No Electricity Bill for 7 Years: Scotland

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