NPower - About to apply for a Warrant;

SimIsOnTheUp

Hiya,

Having sorted out my Rent Arrears / Housing Benefit, I now need to sort out my next Priority debt; my Electric arrears owing to NPower.

I owe them £906.

The stage I'm at now is that one of their engineers is due to come out tomorrow, and replace my standard 'credit' meter with a 'prepayment' meter.

They were going to take £10.00 per week, to repay the debt.

However, I'm waiting on the DWP to get back to me regarding my recent ESA claim (they've told me it'll take another 2 - 3 weeks).

Once I have written proof of the ESA, NPower have said that they will then reduce the deductions down to £3.05 per week.

I called NPower today, and asked them if we could rearrange for their engineer to come out in two weeks time, and to fit the prepay meter then. That would then give me time for the ESA paperwork to get to me, and give me some breathing space.

They wouldn't budge.

If the guy can't get in tomorrow, they told me that NPower will do one of two things; Either they'll rearrange for the engineer to come out at a later date or they'll be going for a 'Warrant of Entry'.

Apparently, it's more likely at this stage that they'll go for the Warrant, which she said will take about 4 - 6 weeks by which time they'll fit the prepay meter and add a further £205 in costs. They also apparently have to turn up with the Police, which I'd really rather avoid

I told her that if I could pay it, I would.

The only money I have though is just short of £20 until the ESA goes through (and goodness knows how long that'll take).

I'm also in the process of getting my paperwork together for the CCCS, as I'm going for a Debt Relief Order. Just can't afford the £90 fee

At least I've had confirmation from the Council, that my Rent is going to be paid (and they're considering backdating it for the last month, when I send in my Doctor's note tomorrow).

Really don't know what to do about this NPower debt, but it looks like the 'best' (for want of a better word) thing I can do is to not let the engineer in tomorrow (I can't even afford to top the meter up), let the 'Warrant' go through in 4 - 6 weeks, and hopefully by then go for the DRO.

Any suggestions of an alternative course of action would be most appreciated.

Cheers,

Sim.

PS - At least I've been sober for 2 weeks and 2 days.

PPS - Also posted on DFW board.

Cardew

NPower have standard procedures in this situation.

They want to fit a pre-pay meter. You can refuse but it will simply add to your debt and you are just buying some time at the expense of more debt.

It is simply your decision which course of action you feel will enable you to handle your debts best.

This is perhaps not the best area of MSE to ask for advice. It is generally felt here that you should pay off debts, other areas of MSE take a different view.

spiro

It may take 4-6 weeks to get a warrant, but it is also possible it could be a few days. They tend to fit meters under warrant in batches because of the cost of engineer, locksmith, etc. So if they happen to be doing you area in a week or 2 they will try and get it included in that. Plus ever day you delay the more your debt is increasing.

This document http://www.direct.gov.uk/prod_consum_dg/groups/dg_digitalassets/@dg/@en/@disabled/documents/digitalasset/dg_172082.pdf appears to indicate there is a 13 week assessment stage, so how 'recent' is your claim and how confident are you of getting it?

KimYeovil

So instead of arranging to let them fit a meter at no extra charge you want to deliberately mess around for a week or two and accrue an extra few hundred pounds in debt. But since you'll only be paying back £3 per week you don't really care whether it is £900 or £1100.

Have fun being stuck with nPower for the next seven years. At least it is not a gas account with three times the standing charge of other suppliers.

undaunted

It seems to me that you are being misled

Npower may or may not apply for a warrant - they have on occasions proven full of hot air despite issuing such threats!

Even if they do apply for a warrant you have the opportunity to contest it. If you have a reasonable alternative proposal it may still be refused (in which case you will not have to pay the Court costs - around £55 - & the fee for proceeding - around £150 - will not be incurred).

If a warrant is granted they will NOT turn up with the police, they will send a couple of Meter Plus (or similar) staff. The Police will only attend if you then refuse to let them in & even then are there only to keep the peace not to force entry for Npower.

As you appear to be on benefits / financially struggling fuel direct is possibly a reasonable alternative proposal (that's why they came up with the £3.05 p/w - not far off what Fuel Direct will be set at) & will mean that a pre payment meter isn't needed.

It is arguably inaccurate to say that there is no extra charge for fitting such a meter. You will get it fitted free but then find you or your successors in the property are charged £60 or more when you want to get rid of it again & that's if Npower will agree to remove it!) Once it's in if you find yourself without cash (even for a few days you can also find yourself without power - unlike Fuel Direct - so don't let them bully you if you don't want this meter fitted)

Info on Fuel Direct here:
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/ManagingDebt/DebtsAndArrears/DG_10025592

It may be worth contacting Consumer Focus & asking if they can assist you with Npowers unreasonable attitude (License conditions state that they should consider affordability in setting payment plans & that they should offer a range of payment options not just go for the easy - for them - pre payment meter which may then prevent you accessing some of the better tarriffs)

http://www.consumerfocus.org.uk/

SimIsOnTheUp

undaunted wrote: »

It seems to me that you are being misled

Npower may or may not apply for a warrant - they have on occasions proven full of hot air despite issuing such threats!

Even if they do apply for a warrant you have the opportunity to contest it. If you have a reasonable alternative proposal it may still be refused (in which case you will not have to pay the Court costs - around £55 - & the fee for proceeding - around £150 - will not be incurred).

If a warrant is granted they will NOT turn up with the police, they will send a couple of Meter Plus (or similar) staff. The Police will only attend if you then refuse to let them in & even then are there only to keep the peace not to force entry for Npower.

As you appear to be on benefits / financially struggling fuel direct is possibly a reasonable alternative proposal (that's why they came up with the £3.05 p/w - not far off what Fuel Direct will be set at) & will mean that a pre payment meter isn't needed.

It is arguably inaccurate to say that there is no extra charge for fitting such a meter. You will get it fitted free but then find you or your successors in the property are charged £60 or more when you want to get rid of it again & that's if Npower will agree to remove it!) Once it's in if you find yourself without cash (even for a few days you can also find yourself without power - unlike Fuel Direct - so don't let them bully you if you don't want this meter fitted)

Info on Fuel Direct here:
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/ManagingDebt/DebtsAndArrears/DG_10025592

It may be worth contacting Consumer Focus & asking if they can assist you with Npowers unreasonable attitude (License conditions state that they should consider affordability in setting payment plans & that they should offer a range of payment options not just go for the easy - for them - pre payment meter which may then prevent you accessing some of the better tarriffs)

http://www.consumerfocus.org.uk/

Thank You so much for this very helpful info.

When I spoke to the NPower rep yesterday, she was adamant that they wouldn't let me go onto 'Fuel Direct' until I could fax her proof of my ESA.

Apparently, they wouldn't even consider reducing the £10 weekly deductions (if the prepay meter was to go in) down to the £3.05 level until the benefits proof was faxed in.

Fair enough that they want the proof. However, I won't have this for another 1 - 2 weeks (have just checked with the DWP), as my claim has not been processed as yet.

It is a huge relief to know that the Police won't be turning up, if it does get that far.

I'd really like to try and sort this out before then if possible though

I didn't think the Court / Judge would even listen to me, due to my having defaulted on payment arrangements with NPower last year :-/

I highlighted in bold, what you've written regarding my right to contest the warrant. It is an immense relief to know that this is possible, and that the costs would not be added if they accept my alternative proposal; ie - the Fuel Direct scheme, with Npower taking the money straight out of my ESA.

How do I contest this? I'm really hoping it is done through the post and not at Court.

The Npower rep yesterday said that they probably wouldn't send someone out again to fit the prepay meter (if I wasn't in / didn't let him in today, as I haven't done), but would just go straight for a warrant.

I really don't know how to best sort this out :-/

Do you think I should call 'Consumer Direct' (from the Consumer Focus site)?

Thanks again,

Sim.

SimIsOnTheUp

Am going to call Consumer Direct now.

Many Thanks.

spiro

Re "How do I contest this? I'm really hoping it is done through the post and not at Court." - you have to attend court to contest the warrant. Having said that you have now admitted that you failed to keep a previous repayment schedule so I suspect they will have no trouble gaining approval to fit a ppm with or without your permission.

If you allow them to fit it you avoid all the costs that will be added as a result of them going to court so I would bite the bullet and get it done now. And also coming home to find out they have 'forced entry' if you happen to be out when they come.

SimIsOnTheUp

spiro wrote: »

Re "How do I contest this? I'm really hoping it is done through the post and not at Court." - you have to attend court to contest the warrant. Having said that you have now admitted that you failed to keep a previous repayment schedule so I suspect they will have no trouble gaining approval to fit a ppm with or without your permission.

If you allow them to fit it you avoid all the costs that will be added as a result of them going to court so I would bite the bullet and get it done now. And also coming home to find out they have 'forced entry' if you happen to be out when they come.

Thanks Spiro.

The reason for my reluctance to have a prepayment meter fitted is twofold.

Firstly, it's far more expensive, and now my sole income will be ESA, it will be unaffordable.

On average, just over a year ago, I was having to top up the previous prepayment meter by £30 - 50 per week, even though my income was only ESA at that time. I would've been without Electric, had it not been for my then Girlfriend helping me.

That just isn't sustainable., and that's why they took the prepay meter out in the first place.

Secondly, the meter is in my neighbour's entrance hall. Nine times out of ten, her door is locked, or she's out, and I'm not able to get to the meter!

I realise I've screwed up, in not keeping to the arrangement last year, and I appreciate that they may well use this as grounds for enforcing the meter going back in. I'll have to cross that bridge when I get to it, as at the moment I can only deal with today.

I can't change last year, and I am where I am.

I'm not in a position to let them put it in *yet*. This is why I'm in need of some breathing space.

Note to KimYeovil, you are unnecessarily rather rude.

You wrote "So instead of arranging to let them fit a meter at no extra charge you want to deliberately mess around for a week or two and accrue an extra few hundred pounds in debt. But since you'll only be paying back £3 per week you don't really care whether it is £900 or £1100.

Have fun being stuck with nPower for the next seven years. At least it is not a gas account with three times the standing charge of other suppliers."

I'm not deliberately messing anyone about, and I do care. I'm trying my utmost to sort this all out. However, the fact that I'm barely getting a couple of hours sleep a night due to this debt, as well as my other debts is not helping anyone.

So my health; my sobriety has to come first, and if that means accruing a further £200 of debt for 4 - 6 weeks breathing space, then that will have to happen.

How would you pay for your Electric as well as food for a week, on £17?!

Sim.

SimIsOnTheUp

FAO - undaunted

Thanks again for your helpful info.

I've since called 'Consumer Direct', and the girl who I spoke to was most helpful.

She's referred my details to 'Consumer Focus', who will negotiate with NPower on my behalf.

They'll be calling me back within the next couple of days.

Thanks again,

Sim.

spiro

PPM prices are now the same as the basic standard pay on bill tariff i.e. you get no dual fuel, online, paperless billing discounts. Based on what you are saying if you stayed on a credit meter you would be on such a tariff therefore the cost wont be much different if at all.

Fact - energy is now expensive and we are all watching what we use.

How you used £30-50 per week (£120-£200 month) in addition to gas I dont know unless they were also collecting a debt at the time.