Scottish query - scottish power warrant

psp1234

Hi,

we are waiting for the correct documentation to apply for BR. I recieved a letter today from scottish power - 'Entry warrant to Premises' (19th August). We were expecting this but now I have a few queries:

1. We live in rented accomodation - can they change the meters to prepay without permission from the owners?

2. Can they turn off our supply and if so - what would we do?

3. When we do go BR, what happens to the outstanding amount, would that get included in the BR or would we have to continue to pay the debt thro the prepay meter?

4. When we do go BR, can we then change suppliers and not be prepay?

5. Should I contact them and let them know we are renting and/or we are going to be going BR soon?

Any help would be gratefully recieved.

Thanks

psp1234

just bumping before it disappears!!

xocbc

When my Scittish Power a/c got seriously overdue, they came and changed my meter. They told me that they do NOT need permisison from the owner, and additionally are able to force entry to change the meter.

Luckily I was in when they called hence avoiding having to pay for new locks etc

philnicandamy

psp1234 wrote: »

Hi,

we are waiting for the correct documentation to apply for BR. I recieved a letter today from scottish power - 'Entry warrant to Premises' (19th August). We were expecting this but now I have a few queries:

1. We live in rented accomodation - can they change the meters to prepay without permission from the owners? Yep...

2. Can they turn off our supply and if so - what would we do? They shouldnt if pre pay meters have been mentioned...

3. When we do go BR, what happens to the outstanding amount, would that get included in the BR or would we have to continue to pay the debt thro the prepay meter? until you go BR the debt will be added to the meter for you to pay off a little everytime you top up....once your declared BR contact the company & they will close the account zero the meter & start again (without the debt)

4. When we do go BR, can we then change suppliers and not be prepay? Nothing to stop you...although some providers credit check so you might fail..one thing to consider though some providers now charge similar rates on prepay as a normal direct debit cust would pay monthly..for example Ebico pre pay rates are the same as regular meter users rates

5. Should I contact them and let them know we are renting and/or we are going to be going BR soon? up to you...

Any help would be gratefully recieved.

Thanks

Just a few thoughts

psp1234

Thank you!

I phoned the national debt line and they said they can't force us to have a prepay meter, because we are a 'vulnerable' customer ie we have small children. We have to ask them to allow us to pay our consumption and a payment towards outstanding and that we 'are willing to pay'. The lady was great gave us key phrases to say when talking to them and even gave us exact conditions to quote.

I can go into more detail if anyone else is in the same boat?

philnicandamy

Ah well...in that case they cant cut supply either if your classed as vunerable..well done with everything i'll keep fingers crossed when you speak to your supplier

GotToChange

I know you're not (being forced to) going ahead with the prepaid mater now but it's worth noting that the unit price is actually lower on the prepaid meters for both gas and electricity. (I don't have one but have considered it for that reason.)

In my experience, S/Power can be pretty patient; I went BR and owed them quite a bit (embarrassed to admit but changes of jobs, their rate increase after rate increase and a capped price ending all contributed) but nevertheless stayed with them (didn't really want to risk trying to move and besides didn't seem to find anyone better - EDF particularly scary!) and again recently nearly got in a pickle.

This time their debt collectors were on me like a pack of dogs on a 3-legged cat (2 days after the bill that had been raised when I missed one month's payment [not DD]) - but I had actually spoken to a different dept and set up a monthly Direct Debit and got the rate lowered from what it had been on the monthly cash payment plan (still puzzles me that the cost of gas/electricity seems to depend on how you pay for it *scratches head*). The debt collector got the sharp end of my tongue for not checking the system and went off in a sulk (yes, he did sound about 17).

Having said all this, the fact you are vulnerable will of course make matters easier but even if you start to slide into problems, work with them (don't leave it too late) and they might be helpful. Good luck.

x