Electirc Diconnection

emlc27

Hi all,

This morning I haave been to the CAB to get some advice. Its the first time I have been and didnt realise they were justgoing to sit and search the internet like I can do myself. But the lady was very nice.

So I have a huge bill from southen I havn't made a payment for a year. Jusy have not had the money. They say my bill usage is £50 month.I am not sure how and its beingmonitored frm today for 7 days so thats good.

So my usage is £50 and they want £40 month to pay areas. But they also want half the money up front before they agree to a payment arrangement. My other option is a meter but I cant let this happen. My landloard will not let me live here its in my contract.

I also have council tax areas - this is going to court next week. I just cant afford it!!

I can afford to pay my standard bills, i.e Gas £20 Electric £50 Tax £117 but I cant afford the arreas.

Where do i go from here.CAB tellme to call nation helpline, i called tem they say utilities and tax are not det. So great in there eyes iam not in det???

Where do i go??

Vestra

I'm sure you already realise this but you have left this quite late and I imagine Southern have or are in the process of applying for a warrant? Have you had a site visit from them?

If you do not meet their payment arrangement (which if you have not paid anything in a while they will want half the balance then the arrears over 3/6/12 months or take a prepayment meter where your arrears will be spread over 52 weeks) then they will have no choice to fit a prepay meter, they will either do this by booking an appointment with you or applying for a warrant to break into your house (do not let it get to this stage as you will have about £3-400 added to your debt with locksmith costs etc).

You might be best posting on the debt free board about your current financial situation, but with regards to your electric you need to either find the money to pay them or accept the prepayment meter (have you spoken to your landlord about this?).

KimYeovil

It isn't just the couple of hundred pounds for the locksmith you will have to pay. You will also have to pay hundreds to repair/replace the door to the landlord's satisfaction plus you will also have to pay to put the credit meter back when you leave. You want to limit the costs to just changing the meter so, as Vestra mentioned, make sure you act before then.

If you can afford 117+50+20 then offer double this as payment. I am sure an offer of £350 would be enough to stop further action. How much is half the arrears? Missing a month or two council tax is less important (ie, less expensive) than losing the meter.

NickWarren_2

KimYeovil wrote: »

It isn't just the couple of hundred pounds for the locksmith you will have to pay. You will also have to pay hundreds to repair/replace the door to the landlord's satisfaction plus you will also have to pay to put the credit meter back when you leave. You want to limit the costs to just changing the meter so, as Vestra mentioned, make sure you act before then.

If you can afford 117+50+20 then offer double this as payment. I am sure an offer of £350 would be enough to stop further action. How much is half the arrears? Missing a month or two council tax is less important (ie, less expensive) than losing the meter.

Extremely stupid advice.

Council tax is the second priority debt after rent. Avoiding council tax completely, and making no attempt to pay after a court case can ultimately lead to prosecution.

molerat

Missing a couple of months council tax makes the whole amount payable immediately thus increasing the op's problems. Very silly advice indeed.