British Gas electricity account

custard_cream_3

Evening all,

I've just phoned British gas, following recepit of my latest bill, to give them an up to date meter reading. However, the system wouldn't accept it as my account has a block on it due to insolvency. I've not told them I was bankrupt, and I didn't think the OR knew who my provider was. Perhaps they did?

Anyway, someone's going to call back within 5 days to discuss "payment plans" with me, but the bloke who took the call thought the amount would just get written off (pro-rata to date of bankruptcy) and that we wouldn't get a pre-payment meter. Does this sound right? Do you reckon if I subsequently changed the account into my wife's name and she went on one of their lovely direct debit schemes where they allow you to pay 435% of your actual usage, we may avoid one? We are high users of electricity as we're not on mains gas, so a pre-payment meter could prove more painful than normal.

Has anyone else had to deal with anything like this?

Simpsona

Im wondering about this too. I have arrears at home both gas and electric (had prepayment meters installed although struggling to feed them with enough money!) Also we have arrears with water company and electric at our business address, do this get inc in BR? or do they remain outstanding and have to be paid?? Sorry didnt have an answer Custardcream! Hopefully someone else will.

custard_cream_3

Ah well, I think I can help you there. Any debt prior to your BR date can be included in the bankruptcy. The difference between us is I've not been in arrears at any point and if it means getting a pre-payment meter fitted as a result of not paying the bill, it might be worth coming to an arrangement with them.

Not sure why the OR told me I had a choice on this one though, as surely paying my bill would mean I was treating British Gas as a preferential creditor?!!

Simpsona

Well this is it, I thought that 'utilities' were seperate from other creditors? But yeah if you can aviod the mters do so as I got them in august and its been a nightmare! we are meant to be paying £7 per week off arrears each week on both meters but some week its like they are eating money, approx £30 per week on gas & £20 per week on electricity! However if the arrears can be inc in our BR this makes a big difference! :T

Also (we havent applied for BR yet but its iminent) Im worried that Im paying £1 per month to my personal creditors but in an attempt to keep the business afloat have been trying to maintain payments on our business debts. Would this be frowned upon as us favouring the business creditors over the personal ones? But obviously the busines although in my name (sole trader) has to be ran seperately from my personal finances? Its such a mine field! Feel like you cant do right for doing wrong dont you!

custard_cream_3

I think you're allowed to treat creditors preferentially before you decide to go bankrupt - it's common sense to do so isn't it? Perhaps now's the time to stop doing that though as you'll have to say what date you decided to follow this route.

peachyprice

This seems to be a new tactic for British Gas, I wonder if they too, like the Halifax, are trawling through the Gazette.

If you have no debt with BG change suppliers and put the new account in your wifes name.

Simpsona

well yeah, kinda decided that last week and set up standing orders of £1 to 3 leasehire companies for the business. Like you say not right to keep paying them when I know what the inevatable is! Sometimes you feel like your being dishonest even when your not! So complicated!

custard_cream_3

peachyprice wrote: »

If you have no debt with BG change suppliers and put the new account in your wifes name.

Aye, but in a way I do have a debt as I've just been billed. As a result, if I tried to change supplier I'd find it hard to wouldn't I?

custard_cream_3

Simpsona wrote: »

well yeah, kinda decided that last week and set up standing orders of £1 to 3 leasehire companies for the business. Like you say not right to keep paying them when I know what the inevatable is! Sometimes you feel like your being dishonest even when your not! So complicated!

I transferred a balance from one card to another about 6 weeks before going BR (and genuinally before I'd considered it) and it turned out that the card I transferred from was in my wife's name. I thought about paying it back, but then it might look like I was treating the bank I'd transferred it to preferentially, so I decided just to play dumb and leave it there. it was a genuine error, and it's not a crime to be human...within reason.

neverindebtagain

The gas and electricity are both in my name, we are with british gas. I get billed quarterly and I am not in debt with them. Next bill due in about 2 months. Does that mean that my br will make a difference to my accounts. Will they close my account or give me a prepayment meter.

I am confused

sortedx2

We had our gas bill included in our bankruptcy and all British Gas did

was they waited for conformation from the OR, then opened a new account.

Not had any trouble at all. Also had electric with NPower they just wanted a different

name on the bill, so put daughters, it only lasts for a year then you can transfer it back

to you own.

HTH