Warrant of Entry Electricity charge £230

Wildcat391

A warrant of entry was taken out by my electricity supplier in my name without me knowing. They entered my property to disconnect my supply when was out, picking the locks and leaving a letter they have entered the property but was unable disconnect the supply and will charge me £230 for the warrant.

The problem is my account is not in debit. Phone them to be told may be a mistake, hence not disconnecting the electricity. Can i ask to see a copy of the warrant, will this warrant affect my credit rating.

Is this breaking and entering, should i report this to the police?

spiro

If they have a warrant of entry they can legal pick locks etc to gain entry. To get to this stage you would have received several letters advising you owe them money.

If it was a mistake (happens sometimes) then they will cancel all charges, put credit meter back in if they have installed a ppm. I would also expect some compensation (probably only a small amount) for the hassle.

DirectDebacle

I agree with Spiro comments.

If it was a mistake then it is a serious one and needs to be investigated as to how this came about.

A warrant is issued by a magistrate based on the information provided by the applicant under oath. I would request a copy of the warrant and also the evidence provided to support the application. This should include some detail of efforts made to recover the alleged outstanding amount prior to applying for the warrant.

You may find the below links of interest.

It is not a burglary and not a police matter. Certainly check your credit rating.

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/Eliz2/2-3/21/section/2

http://thejusticeofthepeace.blog.co.uk/2010/03/23/warrants-of-entry-and-applications-to-disconnect-utility-supply-8231890/

Wildcat391

Thanks for the advice, ive asked to see a copy of the warrant.

The strange thing is the warrant is in my name but not my address or account number.

molerat

Wildcat391 wrote: »

Thanks for the advice, ive asked to see a copy of the warrant.

The strange thing is the warrant is in my name but not my address or account number.

Which surely means it is breaking and entering, someone is in deep !!!! !!

Cardew

molerat wrote: »

Which surely means it is breaking and entering,

No it doesn't, there has to be intent to commit a crime.

PNPSUKNET

name and shame the company

Wildcat391

Cardew wrote: »

No it doesn't, there has to be intent to commit a crime.

So its ok for anyone to break into your home if they don't take or damage anything.

Cardew

Wildcat391 wrote: »

So its ok for anyone to break into your home if they don't take or damage anything.

Depends on the circumstances.

If the fire service or police break into your home because they(mistakenly) think someone needs their assistance - it isn't a crime of 'Breaking and Entering' as you described it earlier.

Ditto if you or I enter for the same reasons, it ain't that crime either!!

If the police, customs, baliffs get a court order/warrant to enter a house and mistakenly enter the wrong house, it isn't a crime.

DVardysShadow

Cardew wrote: »

If the police, customs, baliffs get a court order/warrant to enter a house and mistakenly enter the wrong house, it isn't a crime.

Although it could be the civil wrong of negligence.

Cardew

DVardysShadow wrote: »

Although it could be the civil wrong of negligence.

Agreed you can take civil acion for any reason; but(in general terms) you have to show how that action has caused you losses or damages, and how you want redress.

Courts have been directed I understand not to award the plaintive costs where the claim is considered frivolous.

Anyway the point I was making that it would not be 'breaking and entering'.

It is also relevant that it is impossible these days to even take Civil action against squatters where they cause no damage.