Arrears on British Gas account

Matt2012_2

Hi guys,

Am wondering if some of you can help.

I have £939 arrears on my gas account and £1218 on my electricity.

I have spoken with British Gas and they tell me they want £150.00 on each per month to clear the arrears?

The questions is, can i not tell them what i can afford?

Also, can i change providers with arrears on the account?

Thanks

DUTR

I doubt that ypou can change providers whilst in arrears, that is a hell of an amount of arrears for both energies, had you not paid anything at all?

Antispam

Utilities companies usually wont allow you to switch because they think they wont get there money back once you leave, they have one ace card to play ie prepaid meter. I am not sure why you got into so much debt clearly you been using far more than you were paying for some time as its its around £800 more than a average household would pay in a whole year

Utilities companies have charities which may help you

http://www.britishgasenergytrust.org.uk/

The British Gas Energy Trust helps individuals and families living in fuel poverty or other suffering or distress who are struggling with their gas and/or electricity debts by awarding grants to clear those debts. The aim of the Trust is to give vulnerable individuals a fresh start and enable them to keep free of fuel debts going forward.

Premier_2

Matt2012 wrote: »

Hi guys,

Am wondering if some of you can help.

I have £939 arrears on my gas account and £1218 on my electricity.

I have spoken with British Gas and they tell me they want £150.00 on each per month to clear the arrears?

The questions is, can i not tell them what i can afford?

Also, can i change providers with arrears on the account?

Thanks

You can tell 'em what you like, but unless you negotiate an alternative amount acceptable to them, they'll still want £150 per month on each.

They are likely to object to any switch until you have cleared your arrears in full.

Joyful

If you cannot afford what you are being asked for you can pay back over a longer period with a prepayment meter. If you are on benefits you may be able to pay through FuelDirect.

Terrylw1

They will block a transfer on a debt unless the debt is the fault of the supplier as opposed to the customer.

macman

Usually it is blocked if the debt is £200 or above. With your debt, it will most certainly be blocked.
Switching supplier is not going to eliminate your debt, you'd be best to accept a voluntary PPM before it is forced upon you.
How much have you offered to counter their demand for £150 pm on each account?