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I've been sacked by nPower as a customer - should I be concerned?
Hi to all - newbie user, so please go gentle with me!
We've had a long term issue with our utility provider (nPower), which results from a breach of contract and a series of other issues. Long story short, this has been rattling on for about 18-20 months, I've reported them to the Energy Ombudsman (which remains unresolved), and they've tried to take us to court for about 6 consecutive months in the first half of this year (they failed to achieve an entry warrant on all occasions, and the Court backed us every time).
Most recently, I've billed them for my legal representation expenses for defending their numerous court actions, and out of the blue last week, we received notification that we have been "sacked" as a client, and they have closed our account with effect from August of this year.
My simple question is - where does this now leave us?
Logic appears to indicate that we will therefore be without energy provider in the next week or two, which appears to be good news (i.e. no-one would be billing us for energy), but is it? What am I missing, as I can't believe that it would be this easy or straightforward. What happens if a utility company closes your account when you are not in the process of moving to another provider and thus become energy providerless?
Any responses would be warmly received, as it feels as though I am missing something fundamental with this unexpected turn of events!
We've had a long term issue with our utility provider (nPower), which results from a breach of contract and a series of other issues. Long story short, this has been rattling on for about 18-20 months, I've reported them to the Energy Ombudsman (which remains unresolved), and they've tried to take us to court for about 6 consecutive months in the first half of this year (they failed to achieve an entry warrant on all occasions, and the Court backed us every time).
Most recently, I've billed them for my legal representation expenses for defending their numerous court actions, and out of the blue last week, we received notification that we have been "sacked" as a client, and they have closed our account with effect from August of this year.
My simple question is - where does this now leave us?
Logic appears to indicate that we will therefore be without energy provider in the next week or two, which appears to be good news (i.e. no-one would be billing us for energy), but is it? What am I missing, as I can't believe that it would be this easy or straightforward. What happens if a utility company closes your account when you are not in the process of moving to another provider and thus become energy providerless?
Any responses would be warmly received, as it feels as though I am missing something fundamental with this unexpected turn of events!
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Comments
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I think this is a question to ask them, while they no longer want you as a customer and therefore you need to find a new provider you will still be liable for any utilities you use and I guess they could at some point cut you off?
Not sure how long you will be actually being signed up to a new company (a routine change over takes around three months - heel dragging by the out going company I guess and slow admin).
So I would say ring them ask them what happens to usage between now and a new company taking on your supply and then get straight on to a new company who will take you on.
As we are now in late October you have at least two months of utility usage that is not being billed.Everything has its beauty but not everyone sees it.0 -
The energy supplies will be billed by your chosen new supplier from the meter readings provided by npower at the end of your npower billing.
If you don't choose one, your main fuse will be pulled/gas meter isolated eventually, or your meters will be changed for key meters (pay as you go) and you will remain liable for the energy used. You may alternatively be placed with a SoLR (supplier of last resort), which will be the REC for your region and British Gas, on their standard tarrifs.
Can you provide some more details about your long term issues with npower?
Why have they been trying to enter your property?British Ex-pat in British Columbia!0 -
you will still be liable for any utilities you use and I guess they could at some point cut you off?
I think that this is the interesting part of the poser - who would I be liable to?
If nPower cancel our account and contract with effect from say the 1st August 2012, as far as I can see, they could only pursue me for any charges that accrued during the contract period. From the 2nd August 2012 onwards, I am not in contract with any provider (at the present time), so who could legally make an application to have us cut off or pursue us for any energy accrued after this date? It couldn't be nPower, as there would no longer be any valid or legal contract in place between us after they cancelled it.
However, my gut still tells me that I am missing something else. Something statutory or something like that that I am not presently aware of?Not sure how long you will be actually being signed up to a new company [\QUOTE] This is the other part of the poser - what if I just sit on my hands and do nothing?0 -
If you don't choose one, your main fuse will be pulled/gas meter isolated eventually, or your meters will be changed for key meters (pay as you go) [\QUOTE]
By who? Who would have the legal right to do this?Can you provide some more details about your long term issues with npower? [\QUOTE]
It's too long winded to type out here and now. It was breach of contract in the unit rate charged, failure to pay agreed compensation for another service failure, failure to acknowledge ombudsman involvement, ongoing harrassment as a result etc etc etcWhy have they been trying to enter your property?
As above, they refused to acknowledge EO involvement, and attempted to take us to Court for an unpaid bill. They failed each and every time, simply by my solicitor producing copies of EO correspondence. The Court ordered them to do nothing, await the outcome of the EO complaint and then take action. nPower ignored this Court direction on five consecutive occasions.0 -
I suggest you contact an alternative supplier today to ask if they will allow you to become their customer, rather than waiting for your supplies to be cut off.
The legal powers to do this lie with the old REC/DNO for your area and British Gas (as SoLR).
Have you contacted the EO to see what your position is?
Have you asked your Solicitor what your position is? If he doesn't know, you've got the wrong solicitor.
What do they say?
You WILL remain liable for all energy used at standard rates and it may become cold and dark in your home very soon.British Ex-pat in British Columbia!0 -
These are the questions you need to ask of those that know and not those that speculate! Ask the CAB?
If you sit on your hands you may find one cold day in winter when you need heating and lighting you have none as someone throws the switch!
Anyone can be an Ostrich but eventually things will catch up on you and the outcome may be one you do not want. You need to see where you stand legally!
Centrica is the UK gas supplier, utilities could revert to the main supplier of your area and you would be put on a Standard tariff, costing you more than you need to pay.Everything has its beauty but not everyone sees it.0 -
These are the questions you need to ask of those that know and not those that speculate! Ask the CAB?[\QUOTE]
This is why I am here! I thought this website was full of brilliant minds that had probably experienced these sorts of problems before. I can't be the first person that this has happened to?
The CAB in my limited experience is a well-meaning organisation, but staffed by every day regular joe's that really don't know much more than the average bright person in the street with a good deal of common sense, which I suspected I would find on here!If you sit on your hands you may find one cold day in winter when you need heating and lighting you have none as someone throws the switch![\QUOTE]
I don't know, but I would bet that with the best will in the world, someone is going to write to me before anything like this happens with an enquiry, which would escalate into a warning before something as onerous as being cut off could or would happen. I'm still not clear on who this would or might be though?0 -
:rotfl:"with all the best will in the world someone is going to write to me before anything like this happens with an enquiry, which would escalate into a warning before something as onerous as being cut off could or would happen" :rotfl:
Oh well good luck if you would rather sit back and wait for someone to sort the issue out for you rather than take charge of the situation yourself, as I and others have said you could be without utilities or put on a high tariff by a company that have your area and then you will be the one paying more than you should.Everything has its beauty but not everyone sees it.0 -
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