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Utilities and Bankruptcy

Hi. I am going to declare myself bankrupt in the next few days and am really nervous. I heard that once I go to court and declare myself bankrupt the official receiver will notify the gas, electric, water and telephone companies and I will get cut off. Is this true and is there any way of avoiding getting cut off. Also if I'm cut off, how do I get reconnected? Thanks in advance.

Comments

  • Hi and welcome :)

    No, that is not true at ALL - where on earth have you heard that?!

    All your utilities are 'safe' and you will not be cut off. Are you up to date on all your payments with them or do you have any arrears? Any arrears will be included in your BR but I didn't have this situation myself, so I don't know a lot about it :)
    You can't control everything in life....... your hair was put on your head to remind you of that :p

    Proud to be BSC no. 103
  • skylight
    skylight Posts: 10,716 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Combo Breaker Home Insurance Hacker!
    Don't panic! (easier said than done).

    The OR will not notify utilities, UNLESS you include them as a debt in your BR. Have you checked your utilities and provided up to date meter readings etc, just so you know exactly where you stand - if you have misread the meters in the past and you now owe them lots and could include the debt etc?

    Basic utilities - you are NOT going to be cut off because of BR. Just continue paying as normal if you are up to date. You may find, that if you want to change supplier that may be a little tricky but most (like me) have had no problems whatsoever.
  • hi

    dont panic my hubbys going BR on the 27th oct and all the diect debits come out (or came out ) of his bank account, but ive just opened an account in my name with the co-op and ive spent all afternoon changing diect debit details on all our utilities so they come out of my new account.

    it was really easy to do just phoned them up and changed the details,

    the only one were the dd wont be set up in time is my mortgage so i will pay that over the counter next week and then novembers payment is already set up .

    hope this helps
  • tigerfeet2006
    tigerfeet2006 Posts: 14,030 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Hi Positive Step and welcome to the board.

    May I be cheeky and ask who it was that helped and advised you on your BR?
    BSCno.87
    The only stupid question is an unasked one
    Loving life as a Kernow Hippy
  • Thank you very much for your responses. I feel relieved that I won't be cut off from my gas, electric and phone. I took advice from someone who is recommended through an employee scheme at work. He said that if I normally paid say for example £30.00 a month for my gas, then I would have to ring them up and pay at least £40.00 to make sure I'm in credit. I do not have arrears and am not including my utilities as part of the bankruptcy. I really appreciate all the advice that is given on this site.
  • deedee_3
    deedee_3 Posts: 891 Forumite
    Hmm!! with infomation like that I wonder what else they got wrong. May I make the suggestion that before you go bankrupt you phone National Debtline up and have a chat with them. They are open to 9 o'clock I think and they are very busy so you may have to sit very patiently with your finger on redial but I think it would be well worth getting a second opinion on this. Thier number is in Tigerfeets signature.

    If you have any more questions don't hesitate to ask.

    If you find they have got more wrong I would say something to them.

    If you want someone to check your SOA pop it up and someone will check it over.
    Namaste DeeDee x
  • Can I also ask about my mobile phone. I have an 18 month contract with 02, with 12 months left to run. I pay £45.00 per month. I was told that this was excessive and that I was only allowed £21.00 per month and had to get a pay as you go phone. I have children who don't live with me and I talk to them every day. If I keep this mobile phone, will the official receiver force me to terminate the contract?
  • Sunk
    Sunk Posts: 423 Forumite
    I can only advise what I did.
    I included gas as I knew the amount outstanding.
    I rang BG to let them know so they closed that account (owing £600.00) & they opened a new account for me.
    I had (unbeknown) £60.00 odd outstanding on electric with BG & the OR did not know about this.
    Again this account was closed & another opened.
    Telephone was ok.

    Mobiles now this is interesting as many on here have been given an allowance.
    I have 3 mobiles & put down £55.00 per month & I have heard nothing about these phones from the BR.
    It is a contract & at no time was I told to go on a PAYG.

    And finally you will not get cut-off.
    British gas I have got to say dealt with my account better than any other creditor.
    BR 08/05/2008
    ED 29/10/2008
  • tigerfeet2006
    tigerfeet2006 Posts: 14,030 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    If you do not have a landline then I would say that is pretty reasonable.

    Just put it on your SOA and carry on paying your DD.
    BSCno.87
    The only stupid question is an unasked one
    Loving life as a Kernow Hippy
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