Utilities with bad credit

morphaic

I wasn't sure where in the forum to post this so I apologise if it's in the wrong section.
So, I have bad credit (mortgage arrears) thanks to circumstances beyond my control which I won't go into now because we'll all be here forever. Just wondering, I am about to rent a house and it occurred to me that what if the water and gas/electricity companies don't want me as a customer? Can they refuse me because of my credit rating? Or will they just charge a bit more?

Thanks in advance for any answers.

Premier_2

morphaic wrote: »

I wasn't sure where in the forum to post this so I apologise if it's in the wrong section.
So, I have bad credit (mortgage arrears) thanks to circumstances beyond my control which I won't go into now because we'll all be here forever. Just wondering, I am about to rent a house and it occurred to me that what if the water and gas/electricity companies don't want me as a customer? Can they refuse me because of my credit rating? Or will they just charge a bit more?

Thanks in advance for any answers.

They will neither refuse you nor charge you more.

Simply start using their supply and you will be their deemed customer.

You can even switch if you find a better supplier/tariff elsewhere

Quentin

morphaic wrote: »

I wasn't sure where in the forum to post this so I apologise if it's in the wrong section.
So, I have bad credit (mortgage arrears) thanks to circumstances beyond my control which I won't go into now because we'll all be here forever. Just wondering, I am about to rent a house and it occurred to me that what if the water and gas/electricity companies don't want me as a customer? Can they refuse me because of my credit rating? Or will they just charge a bit more?

Thanks in advance for any answers.

Depends how bad you are!

As far as energy goes, they could certainly charge you "a bit more" (by way of a prepayment meter for your energy).

macman

I wouldn't worry about water-it's not as if you have any choice of suppliers.
If there are PPM's already in place, you might have to pay a refundable 12m deposit to get credit meters installed.

NittyGritty

i think companys can ask for a deposit if you are a risk/bad credit but they cant refuse you

chanz4

Companys can refuse to supply you, they are under no obligation to take you.

We may ask you to pay a reasonable amount upfront – a deposit – as security against payment for your gas or electricity (or both). We may do this to protect us against likely loss in the event that you break the terms of this agreement. We will not ask for a deposit if you choose to pay for your gas or electricity (or both) through a prepayment meter and it is safe and reasonably possible for you to use a prepayment meter. We will only ask for a deposit if it is reasonable for us to do so in the circumstances. If we ask you for a deposit and you do not pay it, we may be entitled to:

• refuse to supply gas or electricity (or both) to you; or
• cut off your gas or electricity (or both) until you pay the deposit (plus any reasonable costs we have as a result of cutting off and reconnecting your supply).