Electricity Bill

FoxIII

I know reading these must be laborious, so I shall try and keep it as short as possible.

I have a debt with Scottish Power which currently stands at £161.88. Being on DLA, I wrote to them with my SOA informing them that I am only able to pay £5 a month.

They phoned me to chase the debt where I told them I had sent this to them which they couldn't find, so I sent another copy.

The next thing I heard, was on receiving a letter from S C Gray Solicitors (ltd) with the following details;

Outstanding Debt: £227.41 (not sure where this figure came from)
Court Fees: £30.00
Solicitors Costs: £50.00
Statutory Interest: £1.50

Total: £308.91

I have sent them a letter with copies of what I sent to Scottish Power and my current invoice of the bill which mentions the original debt (£65.53 difference to what they claim).

The bill has increased by a total of £147.03 which, I have until the 9th of December to pay otherwise I will have a Judgment/Extract Decree enforced (which they have already obtained).

Being Bipolar, this is causing me a lot more stress than I could do with, especially so close to Xmas.

Is there anything I can do? I would phone them to discuss it, but I really can't afford an 0871 number!

I owe other money, but I don't class these as debts as such, even though they are, because I have not missed any of the payments and all of them are happy because I pay them on time every month. I have not had to write to any of these other debtors as I can afford to pay them.

Cyril

I to had a large bill in excess of £800 for my electric and they wouldn't accept a repayment schedule. Th trouble is that they only give you 3 months because you are constantly using electric so if you are paying a vastly reduced monthly amount you will never catch up.

I am sure someone more experienced will offer some practical advice, I think there is some sort of fuel in poverty trust thing that the electric companies to help those in need.

Janey51

Fox could you phone National Debtline for some free advice?

FoxIII

Cyril, I forgot to include that bit. I'm no longer with them. I'm in a shared house and electric is included. But, they still gave me the 3 month option. o.O

Janey51, Thanks. I will. Amazing how when it's happening to yourself, you just panic and forget all this sort of stuff! lol. Kudos

misspoppy

Hi have you discovered www.saynoto0870.co.uk? they will give you the land line number if you type in the 0870 number.

getting-sorted-sarah

Fox, the CAB will write on your behalf - they tend to get ignored less than us ordinary mortals!

Penny-Pincher!!

Could you maybe offer them a full and final offer say 50% outstanding?

You state your on DLA but do you work etc? The CAB would definately be able to write on your behalf but they would probaby need a list of your I&E so that you prove that you can only afford the £5pm.

HTH

PP
xx

fatbelly

You state that they have already obtained a court judgement (for £308.91 presumably) and now they intend to enforce it. I assume this was a 'forthwith' order, i.e. to pay the whole sum immediately.

Did you not respond to the court claim form?

The correct route now is to apply to the court to 'vary' the order to an instalment order. The form is an N245 and National Debtline have a guide here.

Alternatively...

I note from your other posts that you also have an overdraft. If you have multiple debts, one or more ccjs and total indebtedness of less than 5k, you can apply for an Administration Order which prevents enforcement and can write off what remains of your debt after 3 years of payment.

For example if you have debts of £1800 and can evidence that you can only afford £5 per month, then you will pay 36 x £5 = £180 and so request a 'composition' order for 10p in the pound.

painted_lady

Dont mind me asking, I know you said you would keep it short, but why does being on DLA mean you can only pay £5 a month? I am interested because I too am on DLA.