Utility Debt..

NewUserHere

Okay... i'm on the verge of bankruptcy and have a debt with our gas/electricity supplier.

I'm worried before I gather enough money together to make my declaration to the courts they are going to take action.

At the moment they want me to setup a DD which is unaffordable so i've refused. But because I don't have a DD i'm on a very expensive rate. For example, in one quarter this year the bill was £350 after submitting readings to them... but I looked at our usage on a significantly cheaper tariff and it would have come to about £200. They won't move us tariffs without a DD... catch 22.

Is there any way I can move the supply to another supplier without them blocking the move because of the debt?

What if we was to put the utilities in my partners name with a different supplier... would they allow the transfer then? (different surnames... so would they just assume it's a change of tenancy?)

HappyMJ

When you become BR the account is closed and a new one is set up. The debt on the old account becomes part of your BR and the balance on your new account starts at zero. Personally, I'd just pay the minimum they require to avoid them putting you onto a prepayment meter.

chanz4

HappyMJ wrote: »

When you become BR the account is closed and a new one is set up. The debt on the old account becomes part of your BR and the balance on your new account starts at zero. Personally, I'd just pay the minimum they require to avoid them putting you onto a prepayment meter.

Problem is though that once bankrupt, suppliers can inist on pre-pays

NewUserHere

HappyMJ wrote: »

When you become BR the account is closed and a new one is set up. The debt on the old account becomes part of your BR and the balance on your new account starts at zero. Personally, I'd just pay the minimum they require to avoid them putting you onto a prepayment meter.

The problem is I won't be bankrupt for 6-12 month if lucky as its so much money. Threats are coming through thick and fast.

We can't afford what they want, especially being on such an expensive tariff. They aren't being particularly helpful either.

chanz4 wrote: »

Problem is though that once bankrupt, suppliers can inist on pre-pays

We would be able to move supplier once bankrupt and in my OHs name as there wouldn't be a debt barring it.

If we refused though, I'm not sure what grounds they would have to change the meters.

SwanJon

Do they offer another kind of payment scheme that isn't DD? (E.g. SO, magnetic card). This will allow you to make smaller payments until things are sorted.
A PP meter will actually let you spread the bill over the longest period. If the BR is that far away then by the time it comes round they'll probably have got a warrant and force fitted a PP meter.

NewUserHere wrote: »

For example, in one quarter this year the bill was £350 after submitting readings to them... but I looked at our usage on a significantly cheaper tariff and it would have come to about £200.

I think your maths is out a bit - I'm not aware of any tarif that offers 40%+ discounts for paying by DD (or 40% discounts full stop).

Atidi

NewUserHere wrote: »

Okay... i'm on the verge of bankruptcy and have a debt with our gas/electricity supplier.

I'm worried before I gather enough money together to make my declaration to the courts they are going to take action.

At the moment they want me to setup a DD which is unaffordable so i've refused. But because I don't have a DD i'm on a very expensive rate. For example, in one quarter this year the bill was £350 after submitting readings to them... but I looked at our usage on a significantly cheaper tariff and it would have come to about £200. They won't move us tariffs without a DD... catch 22.

Is there any way I can move the supply to another supplier without them blocking the move because of the debt?

What if we was to put the utilities in my partners name with a different supplier... would they allow the transfer then? (different surnames... so would they just assume it's a change of tenancy?)

NewUserHere wrote: »

The problem is I won't be bankrupt for 6-12 month if lucky as its so much money. Threats are coming through thick and fast.

We can't afford what they want, especially being on such an expensive tariff. They aren't being particularly helpful either.



We would be able to move supplier once bankrupt and in my OHs name as there wouldn't be a debt barring it.

If we refused though, I'm not sure what grounds they would have to change the meters.

If you have failed to pay an amount that has been formally demanded 28 days or more ago, then you will not be able to switch supplier.

If you remain living at the property, then expect a PPM to be fitted when they become aware that you are declaring yourself bankrupt. As long as any debt on the PPM is less than £500, then you could change supplier ... but that new supplier will also keep you on a PPM

If your partner can afford to pay the bills after you become bankrupt, then why doesn't he/she pay now and get you a cheaper deal paying monthly by DD ... which may actually stave off your bankruptcy and all the issues that you will encounter if you go down that route.

spiro

Suppliers cottoned on years ago to couples moving utilities from one partner to another, they will often want proof of when the 'new customer' (partner) moved into the property. They may also want proof of when you move out.

I have to agree that I am not aware of any tariff that would reduce £350 to £200.

Given that Pay on Bill tariffs are almost the same as a PPM one, I would opt for a PPM meter before it is forced on you because all that will do is increase the debt and possibly result in a locksmith forcing entry into the property to fit a meter when you are out. If you finances are that bad the PPM is likely to have a weekly debt recovery rate of £3.50 per week on top of your actualy consumption. Also having to PAYG tends to concentrate the mind in terms of not wasting energy.

C_Mababejive

Just dont bother paying your utilities,go bankrupt and the little old ladies who are sat freezing with their teeth chattering in winter for fear of turning the heating on , have a part of your debt apportioned to your bill.

Sarcasm aside,its time to accept responsibility. Go to your utilities and get PP meters fitted now. Its the responsible thing to do. It arrests your debt and stops it getting worse.

macman

No tariff can possibly be 75% more than the cheapest!
Agree as above, voluntary PPM's are the obvious way to go in your circumstances. A PPM costs the same as standard, so about 6% more than an online discount tariff.

NewUserHere

C_Mababejive wrote: »

Just dont bother paying your utilities,go bankrupt and the little old ladies who are sat freezing with their teeth chattering in winter for fear of turning the heating on can have a part of your debt apportioned to your bill.

Sarcasm aside,its time to accept responsibility. Go to your utilities and get PP meters fitted now. Its the responsible thing to do. It arrests your debt and stops it getting worse.

Unless you know the circumstances surrounding my financial difficulty and my efforts to avoid bankruptcy already why don't you keep your closed minded, ill judged opinions to yourself.

I'm here for help, not to be criticised.

C_Mababejive

Who is criticizing?

We appreciate that anyone no matter how rich and sorted they are,can fall on hard times.

it could be illness,a predatory ex wife,redundancy,anything.

It could happen to any of us.

We can either let it envelope us either by choice or by simply being overwhelmed by it, or we can try and seize control of it and plot our return to stability.

Ducking debt and not taking responsibility will not help.

PP meters are the way to go. It stops further debt being incurred and after a period of adjustment,you may well use less energy as you are more aware of it.

I am in a well paid job and i tightly manage budgets and energy use where i live. I am currently on a day off. The heating isnt due on until 1700 hrs and i have a thermal vest on.