NPower- HELP

syma

Hi

I have defaulted on direct debit payments with npower for duel fuel on two occasions with arrears accruing of £964. I am unable to make payment but npower have left me with 2 options either I make payment or have a pre-payment meter fitted. I don't want to have a prepayment meter fitted and obviously can't make payment.

My question is can they legally demand the large payment? Can it be against they licence agreement??

What options apart from a ppm are?

harry1978

You don't have a choice. You either pay up (probably in full as you've defaulted before and they won't therefore accept a payment plan), have a PPM fitted, and your debt will be taken off every time you top up at a pre-arranged rate (i.e. for example every £10 you put on, £3 will be taken for debt, £7 for fuel), or they disconnect you. If you don't accept a PPM and have a debt, they are in their rights to get a warrant to break into your house (for which they will charge you, plus the baliff fees, on top of the debt you already have) and either fit the PPM or disconnect you. Your best option is to agree to have a PPM, unless you can repay the debt in full, otherwise you will get even further into debt.

undaunted

Is there an underlying reason you defaulted?

EG, If you are on benefits Fuel Direct may be an alternative.

If you can afford some but not all of the arrears & make a reasonable offer of a lump sum you may be able to negotiate something other than a pre payment meter.

Whilst Npower (or any supplier) can apply to a Court for a warrant to enter your property & fit such a meter without your agreement (assuming they need to be inside of course) it is just that an application to the Court. Many are granted but they can be refused if you can convince the Magistrate there is good reason to do so.

Your local CAB (or similar) or Consumer Focus may be able to assist you if necessary.

Good luck

chanz4

With the two failed plans its not looking good, consumer focus dont have powers over payment plans as they are comercial decisions relating to credit. Fuel direct wont be an option unless a pre-payment can not be fitted as its classed as a last resort and if the dwp know its an option will refuse it.

If you cant afford have the pre-pay as others have said the recovery can be low, if you can prove your income / outgoings they will consider a lower recovery even if not on benefits. Its better to accept now than have an extra £300 charges, magistrates dont tend to refuse warrants unless disabilitys as its an application for entry to the house to access their metering equipment.

undaunted

chanz4 wrote: »

With the two failed plans its not looking good, consumer focus dont have powers over payment plans as they are comercial decisions relating to credit. Fuel direct wont be an option unless a pre-payment can not be fitted as its classed as a last resort and if the dwp know its an option will refuse it.

If you cant afford have the pre-pay as others have said the recovery can be low, if you can prove your income / outgoings they will consider a lower recovery even if not on benefits. Its better to accept now than have an extra £300 charges, magistrates dont tend to refuse warrants unless disabilitys as its an application for entry to the house to access their metering equipment.

Consumer Focus has a stautory duty to assist those in diffculty. Suppliers have an obligation to consider affordability & if they fail to do so this may become an issue for Consumer Focus to consider.

I am not sure where your view on an application for Fuel Direct being refused comes from? (This is what the Government websites general advice is http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/ManagingDebt/DebtsAndArrears/DG_10025592 )

Unlike Pre payment meters Fuel Direct will not see your supply go off if you can't afford to top up on a given day, it doesn't later cost you to get rid of it & the amount you pay is fixed by the DWP not dictated by the Energy co.