Warrant of Entry Electricity charge £230

dunloadin

I have been out on warrant jobs, not my favourite task it has to be said. The warrant officers I have worked with tend to be very meticulous in their job and they have not entered any properties if there is any doubt on the warrant paperwork that has been issued. If you were in at the time I'm pretty sure that the debt issue would have been resolved pretty quickly and they would have said there goodbyes and left.

There should have been numerous attempts to contact the named person on the warrant prior to any visit, by phone and mail, so it seems that someone has screwed up a bit here. No doubt someone will be getting their !!! felt for what appears to be a big error.

WelshPaul

Wildcat391 wrote: »

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

This does not add up, if the warrant was in your name but did not have your address or account details on it but someone elses how did they know where to turn up?

They would have attended the address on the warrant?

Ken68

Keep all paperwork, Wildcat, and note any admissions of guilt. Plus evidence from your neighbours and also photographs.
If the admin is as you say and they have entered your premises without authority, then some compensation is due. As for the £230 bill, that is plain daft.
The last thing they want is to appear in court to explain why they need not pay YOUR bill for distress and embarrassment caused. Citizens Advice Bureau should be able to help.

BoltonGirl_2

My advice is simple...ring the company and speak to them about it! There seems to be a lot of discussion on this thread about naming, shaming and blaming...surely your priority is to find out what this debt is for and resolve it. If your credit rating has been affected incorrectly the company will work with you to amend your credit account.

Coompensation culture is having a really bad effect on this country - I'm sure a lot of you have been affected by rising car insurance premiums, this is an effect of ambulance chasing companies and exactly what you're encouraging this person to do!!!

Ken68

Wildcat should not have to help his tormentors to sort the problem.
And the mistake should be in the open, and no cover up.
Take the compensation out of the wages of the actual person at fault.
All subject to the OP's version of events, of course. And the £230 bill needs to be explained.
A hook for you Wildcat. Go fishing.

Ken68

Also, Wildcat, go after the keysmith, probably a contractor and a member of a trade body.
Maybe also licensed by the local police. For the bailiffs to NOT leave a copy of the warrant sounds a bit fishy.

saphydog

Thats a BIG mistake to have made, i would seek compensation and a full lock change on your home sicne the security has been compromised like that you have no idea if copies of your keys are now floating around somewhere if the lock was impressioned to gain entry

Premier_2

Wildcat391 wrote: »

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?

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.

If they had a valid entry warrant, then there doesn't appear to have been any offence taken place.

Even without a valid warrant (and it doesn't sound like it was if the warrant was for a different address, although are you trying to find a technicality here as it is strange it is in your name), then no 'breaking' appears to have occurred, but entry certainly did occur it appears. I would inform the police of such an incident.

But did entry actually occur? You said they entered to disconnect the supply, but then said they agreed to not disconnect the supply after you called them. That would have been too late.

Also as Ken68 says, a bailiff entering a property would usually leave a copy of the warrant.
Also how do you know the warrant does not have your address on it if you haven't yet seen it? :huh:

All very strange. How about telling us the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. It'll be good practice for if you decide to pay the cop shop a visit! :cool:

Wildcat391

No warrant was left, just a letter saying we entered your property to disconnect your electricity, but was unable to complete the work and will return at a later date. With a number and reference number to call.

I called them with my name, ref number and for security my address and postcode which did not match the address on they system

The only sign of entry is the alarm had been set off and the screws around the locks have been tampered with.

I had no idea anyone have been in until I came across the note they had left.

I have sent them a letter of complaint and requested a copy of the warrant

DVardysShadow

I get a funny feeling about this, if the warrant was not left. I could imagine they got in and started to disconnect, checked the meter number and discovered their error. Now, if this is the case, I think it really is going to be very difficult to get the warrant out of them. But take note of what people say about the warrant. If they don't produce one, then they have broken and entered. They must leave a copy when they break into the right house, so they cannot really get away without showing what they claimed as their authority for breaking into the wrong house - unless they accept it was breaking and entering! Once you have that, I suggest you cosider making complaint to the Magistrates Court involved. They should be interested in their warrant being wrongly used.