Standing Orders.

Atidi

Jackiec09 wrote: »

I can afford to pay back the outstanding balance just not in full ...

I suggest you post your SoA over on the Debt Free Wannabe board.

Gas & Electricity bills are considered a priority (along with your rent/mortgage, council tax, etc)

With the help you receive there, you will know what you really can afford and can explain this to the creditor in a way they should be able to set up an agreeable repayment plan.

Otherwise they will force a PPM onto you which may incur fees (if a court warrant is needed), could incur you in LL fees (if you move out and the LL incurs a fee in returning the meter back to a credit one) and as you say, possibly higher costs. (Although I think BG actually charge a little less for a PPM than they do for their standard tariff- or whatever they call their equivilent today)

SwanJon

Jackiec09 wrote: »

I can afford to pay back the outstanding balance just not in full (I am a carer for my son so do not work). We live in a private let and my landlord will not agree to a prepayment meter and I cannot afford any charges.

Have you tried the British Gas Energy Trust to see if they can help? (http://www.charisgrants.com/)

You need to take control of this to prevent a PPM being fitted - as above the end result could be that they go to court and get a warrant to do so, adding hundreds of pounds.
You do not need your landlords permission for a PPM - they can't limit how you pay your bills (nor who to).

Jackiec09 wrote: »

I emailed and wrote to them and was ignored both times and when I called it went to a call centre who were trying to put pressure on my to get a prepayment meter. I was offering a solution but feel they just didn't want to listen. I have made an appointment with a third party to discuss this and see if they can help.

As Joyful, it has been a while since I dealt with DDs & SOs, but I think that British/Scottish Gas will no longer agree to a regular payment scheme by standing order. You need to agree a payment scheme with them to prevent them chasing for the whole balance, otherwise the reminders etc will continue. This means that even if they accept the payments, it will not have the desired results.

Call them back to discuss the options, point out that you have been making monthly payments in good faith and ask if you can be put on a payment scheme (even if not DD) to clear the balance. If you feel you have been treated unfairly you can raise a complaint. You can do with the agent on the phone, in writing, email or on their website.