Npower bullies

MarcoM

Hi,

I received a threatening letter from npower. The letter says that I should ring to book an appointment for a gas meter safety inspection as they have not been able to gain access to the property. They say it has been more than two years since the last inspection.

Note that they have already been on 16 March to do this. They guy also took a meter reading. I can only guess that due to their systematic failure in their billing systems this visit was not logged hence the letter.

They are threatening to go to a magistrate for a warrant within seven days and enter the property even in my absence.

I do not really want to deal with the call centre but I am worried that if I write to the complaints department the issue may be dealt with after the seven days window I have left before any other action is taken. I have also read somewhere that once they go to the magistrate the process cannot be stopped.

I would like to know if other people have experience this bullying by npower.
At the end of the day they have already been and it is not my fault if their subcontractors do not log their inspections.

Thanks

dogshome

As you have recognised, n'power's systems are in a real mess at the moment

However, Gas Safety inspections are a required part of the licensing and all suppliers will get heavy handed if they are denied access to carry out this duty.

Though it's annoying to be twice inconvenienced by n'powers admin. problems, it's best to co-operate as they will indeed go as far as warrants and forced entry to do the inspection

MarcoM

they have already done this in march.
I don't see why I should have to take another day off work.
All I am asking is that they check their records to find details of their previous visit.
It is not the customer's fault if they lose details of their inspections.

Am I correct in assuming that my complaint should at least stop the legal process?

dogshome

I presume that you had a letter regarding the first visit - do you still have that or other evidence the visit was made?

If so, make a formal written Complaint by letter or Email, heading it Complaint - Set out your financial loss at haveing to take a further day off work and making a claim for recompense of that sum

With a written Complaint made, n'power should cease all further action till the problem is resolved, but bear in mind this 'Don't know which way is up' n'power. If they keep up the hassle send the file to the Ombudsman

MarcoM

No evidence.
The guy left a card on the monday to fill in.
he then turned up on a satruday morning anyway and we let him have a look at the meter.

They can request another appointment if they like but only after acknowledging my complaint. But before wasting another day I just want them to check their records and stop the legal process.
The last thing I want is to book another appointment with the legal process going ahead anyway, hence the reason for my complaint.

Does anyone know how many weeks it takes for them to proceed to magistrate court stage after sending the threatening letter?

Wywth

MarcoM wrote: »

Hi,

I received a threatening letter from npower. The letter says that I should ring to book an appointment for a gas meter safety inspection as they have not been able to gain access to the property. They say it has been more than two years since the last inspection.

Note that they have already been on 16 March to do this. They guy also took a meter reading. I can only guess that due to their systematic failure in their billing systems this visit was not logged hence the letter.

They are threatening to go to a magistrate for a warrant within seven days and enter the property even in my absence.

I do not really want to deal with the call centre but I am worried that if I write to the complaints department the issue may be dealt with after the seven days window I have left before any other action is taken. I have also read somewhere that once they go to the magistrate the process cannot be stopped.

I would like to know if other people have experience this bullying by npower.
At the end of the day they have already been and it is not my fault if their subcontractors do not log their inspections.

Thanks

Your options are to either contact the supplier urgently or risk them getting applying for an entry warrant (for which they will charge you!)

If you become aware of the the date & time of the court application, you could perhaps try to attend to deefend the application, but wouldn't a simple phone call today be much easier? How about email if you don't feel confident to call? :huh:
(Although I would warn if you receive no response to an email, you will still be left worrying what is going on)

A supplier attempting to enforce their legal obligation is not bullying.
To call it such belittles the truly awful effects that genuine bullying can have on individuals.

MarcoM

I suggest you read the original post before replying.
I have already explained that the supplier already "attempted to enforce their legal obligation" on the 16th of March but they have obviously lost the details.

Sending a letter threatening to put the door down with no previous correspondence is not bullying in yuor eyes?

Wywth

MarcoM wrote: »

I suggest you read the original post before replying.
I have already explained that the supplier already "attempted to enforce their legal obligation" on the 16th of March but they have obviously lost the details.

Sending a letter threatening to put the door down with no previous correspondence is not bullying in yuor eyes?

I suggest you read the letter before replying

They are not threatening to put your door down, they are asking you to contact them to make an appointment.

Anything else will be the result of you not complying with their request.

What do you expect? A letter in advance advising you they are sending you a letter requesting you to contact them? :cool:

MarcoM

Wywth wrote: »

I suggest you read the letter before replying

They are not threatening to put your door down, they are asking you to contact them to make an appointment.

Anything else will be the result of you not complying with their request.

What do you expect? A letter in advance advising you they are sending you a letter requesting you to contact them? :cool:

What is the point in asking for an appointment for something that has already been done?

Don't you think they should at least try to locate the details of the previous safety check before requesting an appointment and threatening legal action?

Or maybe you think customers should just take time off work as and when Npower requests them to do so even if they have already visited a property.:T

chanz4

So was it a meter reader the first time, as gas safety inspections dont normaly leave you a card to fill in

Wywth

MarcoM wrote: »

What is the point in asking for an appointment for something that has already been done?

Don't you think they should at least try to locate the details of the previous safety check before requesting an appointment and threatening legal action?

Or maybe you think customers should just take time off work as and when Npower requests them to do so even if they have already visited a property.:T

What is the point? Perhaps to avoid them applying for an entry warrant and then possibly putting your door down ? :huh:

As you said, they have obviously lost those details about the previous visit.

I'm sure if you followed their request to contact them, all this could have been sorted out by now.