Prepayment Meter Help

cathaz

I took on a rented house with both Gas and Electric Prepayment Meters I assumed that by doing this I could not get into debt as I was paying for it as I went along. I am now getting bills and threatening letters saying I owe them money, how can this be, what do I do! I have massive debt and didn't want it to get any worse, hence the meters in my new house and now they are putting me in a situation of adding to my debt, please can anyone help? i am with Eon for both Gas and electric

Terrylw1

You can't build up a debt on prepayment meters other eating into any emergency credit.

There are some things to consider which could cause a debt:

- was the previous occupant in debt so the meter was set up to collect?
- are you using an old key from a previous supplier hence your money is not going onto the current suppliers statements?
- is the opening reading correct? If its lower than when you moved in, it will add a debt to the account but not go the meter.

Need more info really.

The Eon reps on this board are very helpful so I'm sure they will post on here tomorrow asking you contact them.

cathaz

Hi this is what I thought. I've been in this house for two years now and it was fine at the start so I just don't understand it. If I go into emergency it's for nothing more than an hour or so I really am stressed by this I hope someone can help. The phone no is an 0845 no which costs a fortune to ring as well

cathaz

Also it's been the same supplier I've not changed since moving and last year I was £3/4 in credit x

Premier_2

cathaz wrote: »

...The phone no is an 0845 no which costs a fortune to ring as well

0845 numbers are free from a BT landline (as part of the free calls included within the calling plan)

Checkout saynoto0870.com for an alternative number if you really must call the supplier outside of free calling times included on a BT landline package.

Calls from other networks may be higher and from mobiles will cost considerably more ... so dump them!!!

cathaz

Unfortunately i only have a landline as do my friends in the area

C_Mababejive

Things to consider.....

When you moved in did you get..

a) A tenancy agreement


b) new cards specific to you for your meters ?

Did you have previous debt from other tenancies which has now perhaps caught up with you?

If the answers are yes,yes,no then you really shouldnt be clocking up debt.

When the meter runs out of credit,does the gas actually go off?

When you put credit on the meter,does it give you close to the full amount and if not,how much does it deduct typically?

cathaz

Hi yes it's yes yes no.
The gas and elec both go off if run out until you press the button for emergency credit and yes it gives what put on eg if add £10 credit it gives me £10 x

C_Mababejive

cathaz wrote: »

Hi yes it's yes yes no.
The gas and elec both go off if run out until you press the button for emergency credit and yes it gives what put on eg if add £10 credit it gives me £10 x

Then it appears you have nothing to fear. I presume you have already notified them that you dispute the debt? If so then leave them to it and when they apply for a warrant,you should either seek to appear at court to dispute whether they should be granted a warrant and/or seek recompense if /when they disconnect you. Perhaps you could write to your local paper to tell them how you are being persecuted?

In the mean time,write to them again. you MUST head your letter with the word COMPLAINT..otherwise..it isnt a complaint. Send it recorded if necessary and explain why you do not own them any money and ask them to demonstrate how they think money is owed. State that you will take legal advice if they continue to harrass you.

Terrylw1

If what you put in is what is being used and no debt is being reduced, its an issue in the bills instead. If the supplier doesn't marry up the meter readings and payments to the account, it can go wrong like this.

It could be many things, so do your payments show on the statement? Are the readings matching your meter? Did the debt appear only in the first bill, hence it could be the opening reading is wrong?

Don't wait for it to escalate to warrant stages, if you can advise what the statements are saying it will be easier to say what the problem is. It might be quite simple but you should raise it as a complaint via email for speed to the supplier. It would be best to post more info first so you have more for a complaint.

cathaz

Thanks will have a hunt for the bills this weekend then to get more info I had a 0 balance when moved in so have no debt with them but they say I owe money. All payments seem to show on bills from what I've seen in past but will find the info and look for an email address too. Thanks for all your help