Warrant to cut off my gas!

sammy115

One of my outstanding debts is my gas with Scottish Power. Last year just before I lost my job I arranged to switch my gas and electric to a cheaper supplier NPower. My electric switched over no problem but my gas is not through transco and was delayed. I then lost my job and couldn't pay my gas or my electric.

I kept up payments with NPower but not Scottish Power as I thought the switch over was going ahead. They then objected to my transfer, then they sent me a letter saying they no longer objected. To cut a long story short they didn't seem to know what was going on and I stopped getting bills.

Out of the blue I received a huge bill (£799 - which I queried) however, it is indeed correct. I rang to offer a payment plan which they would not accept due to me defaulting on a payment plan last year (following OH's job loss). They also can't put in a gas meter either due to my being on a different gas transporter than transco. My only option is to pay it in full or on the 20th April they are due to apply to a magistrate for a warrant to cut us off.

I am due money from the Insolvency Fund, despite being told that this would be paid within six weeks, delays via the Insolvency practitioner have held this up. I was told last week that payment would be made within 10-15 days. I can and fully intend to pay my bill with this money but I am now worried if it doesn't come through in time what I can do.

wherediditallgo

Hi, Sammy. You really need to speak to someone like the CAB. If your'e in Scotland, the law regarding the cutting off of utilities may be different to that in England.

Do you have any young children or elderly/sick people in the house that you look after? I can't remember English law on it, but if you have got vulnerable dependants you should tell Scottish Power & the CAB about them, as it may affect Scottish Power's rights to cut off supplies, especially when there's so little time to go until they get their money. When others more knowing than I get here, hopefully they'll be able to give you more info. Good luck.

hypno06

Not sure if I have any really practical advice, but I would say spend a couple of hours gathering together any paperwork you can find that relates to this, and write down all other relevant information such as job losses, IP delays etc.

This will be helpful to take with you when you go to CAB or for a court to consider in due course, and will help them believe you were not just trying to get away with not paying.

Someone will be along soon I am sure who can give some more constructive advice x

tealady

Try ringing energywatch as well, they deal with problems withgas and electricity companies. Telephone is 08459 060708 https://www.energywatch.org.uk

sammy115

Hi all, thanks for the replies. I will try energy watch and I will call nationaldebtline - we have been dealing with nationaldebtline for the past twelve months. Although not on a DMP with them they have been very helpful.

We do have an eighteen month old baby in the house, is she classed as vulnerable? I told Scottish Power this and they were not sympathetic at all. In fact when I asked to speak to a manager I was kept on hold for up to half and hour at a time before getting cut off. I was told that a manager would call me back and they never did. Neither did they call back when I made a complaint about their debt collector calling round to the house constantly to discuss repayment of my situation when they know exactly what my situation is.

I will gather all the paperwork together, good idea! I guess I have been putting it off thinking that my money would come through in time, but I guess the clock is ticking and I would be better to be prepared than in a stress at the last minute.

Thanks all once again for your help. As anyone ever been to court to challenge a warrent?

hypno06

Write down all the details of people not phoning you back when you expected them to - it will all go in your favour.

sammy115

Just been on energywatch website, apparently they have to accept a repayment plan even if you are under threat of disconnection. Unfortunately having a child under five is not classed as vulnerable.

Thanks Hypno, I am going to write it all down now, whilst it is still fresh in my mind.