Can they cut you off or is it illegal?

adouglasmhor

bob_bank_spanker wrote: »

Surely a PPM is better anyway? It allows you to only pay for what you use.

No it actually doesn't, it adds on a surcharge for any arrears as well.

Cardew

E.L.James wrote: »

I am trying to buy some time to get the DRO through ASAP. As long as the utilities are included then they are wiped out. I do not want prepay meters.

Companies are not forced to offer a tariff on a credit meter, as opposed to a pre-pay meter, and they do credit checks on all new customers; as well as checking history with previous Utility companies.

A credit meter potentially allows a customer to have credit of many hundreds of pounds; and you have demonstrated you are not credit-worthy.

To be perfectly blunt, it would be commercial madness for a Utility company to allow you credit facilities by way of a credit meter, so you could run up more bills that you would/could not pay.

bob_bank_spanker

adouglasmhor wrote: »

No it actually doesn't, it adds on a surcharge for any arrears as well.

Perhaps if you read the rest of my sentence?

E.L.James

bob_bank_spanker wrote: »

Surely a PPM is better anyway? It allows you to only pay for what you use, stopping you getting into the debt trap you've already fallen in to, and takes a small amount of your arrears off each week.

People with "normal" meters are receiving a line of credit from the company (use now pay later), I doubt there is any way you can keep your current meter in your circumstances.

You pay more per unit with PPM. If my application is successful then the old debt is relieved. I do not want to have PPM fitted.

Cardew

adouglasmhor wrote: »

No it actually doesn't, it adds on a surcharge for any arrears as well.

That is correct in 'normal' circumstances.

However the OP's aim is to have any gas/electricity debt written off by means of the DRO.

If that aim is achieved, then there will be no arrears to add onto the pre-pay meter.

E.L.James

Cardew wrote: »

Companies are not forced to offer a tariff on a credit meter, as opposed to a pre-pay meter, and they do credit checks on all new customers; as well as checking history with previous Utility companies.

A credit meter potentially allows a customer to have credit of many hundreds of pounds; and you have demonstrated you are not credit-worthy.

To be perfectly blunt, it would be commercial madness for a Utility company to allow you credit facilities by way of a credit meter, so you could run up more bills that you would/could not pay.

If the old debt is relieved, then there is no debt to repay. I can start again with a new utility company. From now on I will pay. I really do not want prepay meters fitted. We have children, its hard if you have no electric and no hot water and you are waiting for your next payday.

lstar337

E.L.James wrote: »

You pay more per unit with PPM.

No, you pay whatever the standard tarrif is.

E.L.James wrote: »

If my application is successful then the old debt is relieved. I do not want to have PPM fitted.

So you can run up more debt?

After your DRO, they wont let you have credit. It is that simple.

E.L.James

Cardew wrote: »

That is correct in 'normal' circumstances.

However the OP's aim is to have any gas/electricity debt written off by means of the DRO.

If that aim is achieved, then there will be no arrears to add onto the pre-pay meter.

Thanks yeas this is what I am going for.

Is it true that you pay a little more with PPM? This website is great at finding the best offers you can switch to and all. Then using cashback sites, you cant do that with a PPM.

bob_bank_spanker

E.L.James wrote: »

Thanks yeas this is what I am going for.

Is it true that you pay a little more with PPM? This website is great at finding the best offers you can switch to and all. Then using cashback sites, you cant do that with a PPM.

You pay no more than the supplier's standard tariff.

lstar337

E.L.James wrote: »

If the old debt is relieved, then there is no debt to repay. I can start again with a new utility company.

Sure, because they will just ignore your credit history. (roll eyes)

E.L.James wrote: »

From now on I will pay.

So you never intended to pay originally?

E.L.James wrote: »

I really do not want prepay meters fitted.

Should pay your bills then.

E.L.James wrote: »

We have children.

And that is a free pass for irresponsibility?

E.L.James wrote: »

its hard if you have no electric and no hot water and you are waiting for your next payday.

Then you need to prioritise your money better, and cut back on what you don't need.