Scottish Power

Jubilee012

we owed them some money from the winter and were told we could pay in stages but for some reason it went to court and they came round with a locksmith to enter our property. luckily we were in. they then installed a meter which we are happy about . however is it normal/legal to look at entering our property with a locksmith???

FireWyrm

Unfortunately, utilities have the right to do this. However, I would be protesting in the strongest possible terms right up to my MP since it's a horrible thing to do. These companies essentially price fix and rip us off for a commodity we have no choice but to buy and then, when we fall behind in payments, they have similar rights to Customs &Revenue on your private property! Personally, I've always thought this was scandalous.

Jubilee012

anyone want to get this changed too?

FireWyrm wrote: »

Unfortunately, utilities have the right to do this. However, I would be protesting in the strongest possible terms right up to my MP since it's a horrible thing to do. These companies essentially price fix and rip us off for a commodity we have no choice but to buy and then, when we fall behind in payments, they have similar rights to Customs &Revenue on your private property! Personally, I've always thought this was scandalous.

dtaylor84

The reason they are given the right to install pre-payment meters is that they are not allowed to simply cut people off for non-payment. Would you prefer that option?

[Deleted User]

Hi,

if you'd agreed to the ppm before it went to court they wouldn't have needed a locksmith.

FireWyrm

dtaylor84 wrote: »

The reason they are given the right to install pre-payment meters is that they are not allowed to simply cut people off for non-payment. Would you prefer that option?

No, I'd prefer them to come to a payment arrangement like all other civilised creditors. The Stasi kick down doors and let themselves into houses, I was under the impression we lived in a civilised democracy where private citizens had the right to live their lives in peace.

FireWyrm

[Deleted User] wrote:

Hi,

if you'd agreed to the ppm before it went to court they wouldn't have needed a locksmith.

Judgemental much?

Isn't is possible they weren't informed of the court proceedings? If it's possible to declare people summarily bankrupt and levy CCJs in a quiet and sneaky manner, it's certainly possible the OP had no idea of the situation and as far as they were concerned, were busy negotiating a payment arrangement.

DVardysShadow

FireWyrm wrote: »

Unfortunately, utilities have the right to do this. However, I would be protesting in the strongest possible terms right up to my MP since it's a horrible thing to do. These companies essentially price fix and rip us off for a commodity we have no choice but to buy and then, when we fall behind in payments, they have similar rights to Customs &Revenue on your private property! Personally, I've always thought this was scandalous.

They do need a court order to do it and should be writing to give opportunities

• to give peaceful entry without going to court
• to turn up in court and defend
• to give peaceful entry after a court order

themull1

Jubilee012 wrote: »

we owed them some money from the winter and were told we could pay in stages but for some reason it went to court and they came round with a locksmith to enter our property. luckily we were in. they then installed a meter which we are happy about . however is it normal/legal to look at entering our property with a locksmith???

For what reason did it go to court?