HELP needed pls.............!

lukemed1

Hi everyone,

I recently changed gas supplier from Southern electric/gas to EDF, I received a letter from Southern today saying that if i don'tpay my final bill they'll cut my supply off! can they do this even though they aren't my supplier anymore?

I have every intention of paying the bill but am unemployed atm so will have to make reduced payments,

are they just trying to frighten me?

cheers

Luke

Magentasue

Have you actually switched to EDF or is the application going through? If Southern are still your supplier, they can block the transfer but if you stay with them, you can negotiate a payment plan.

lukemed1

Magentasue wrote: »

Have you actually switched to EDF or is the application going through? If Southern are still your supplier, they can block the transfer but if you stay with them, you can negotiate a payment plan.

Hi there, it's all gone through and I've now changed to EDF

cheers

Luke

Magentasue

I don't think a previous supplier can disconnect you although they could take you to court. I would make absolutely certain that you've switched - for example, if you've switched dual fuel, it's possible only one has switched and the other didn't go through.

Whatever, you need to contact them and negotiate repayment to avoid collection charges being added to the debt.

Premier_2

lukemed1 wrote: »

...I have every intention of paying the bill but am unemployed atm so will have to make reduced payments,...

As you are no longer their customer, they are unlikely to be very prepared to accept they have to wait for payment for the energy you have already consumed.
However, there's no harm in trying to negotiate stage payments with them.

The good news is they cannot disconnect you if you are not their customer.
However, you owe them the money and they will pursue you for it unless you agree a repayment plan that is acceptable to them. Like all unpaid amounts, they can ultimately pursue you through the courts leaving things like defaults, CCJs etc on your credit file.
Ultimately they may instruct bailiffs to enforce a court judgement.
However, they are likely to use a collection agency initially and they may add charges for attempts to collect money owed if you haven't already agreed a plan.

Speak to the supplier and see what you can negotiate.