Urgent help needed re npower warrant

linda_stars

Hi everyone. Hoping someone can give me some advise as going nowhere with n power.

I've been more than a bit silly not paying my npower bills and built up alot of debt. £2264.68 to be exact. Buried my head in the sand stupidly. Bit the bullet today to try and set up a payment plan. Heres the problem.

Npower have got a court date on the 24th to get a warrant of entry to fit a prepayment meter. I really don't want one so tried to stop it and set up a payment plan.

Rang Npower who took meter readings etc and said I would need to pay £200 to be able to set up a payment plan. Said thats fine but she puts me on hold. Comes back and says no actually it needs to be £264.68. Again I say thats fine although I couldnt afford the £200 so this sends it over the edge. Again. Its my fault so cant complain too much.
she takes the payment and says thats fine so we'll set up a new payment plan. This is where it starts to go wrong.
She asks if I'm on any benefits so I say yes, working tax credit and housing benefit so she says she'll talk to the payment plan department. Comes back after a lifetime to say no, actually they won't set up a payment plan at all. They need £1850 by 30th Jan before they can.
Tried to stay calm but made a point of if I had £1850 sat in my bank wouldnt I just pay the bill off!
Asked to speak to someone higher but got told no. Theres nothing more they can do to help me. It would go to court and I will get a prepayment meter no matter what I do. She then said she would refund the £264.68 I had just paid then changed her mind again.

Is there anything else I could do? I have told them I will go bankrupt so they can swing for their money but I would rather actually pay them via a payment plan.

any advise is gratefully received x

espresso

You have by your own admission had your head in the sand for far too long. You do not have a right to free energy and a prepayment meter is ideally suited to someone who cannot be trusted to pay for the energy that they used, so learn from your mistake.

Bluebirdman_of_Alcathays

You got away with an interest free loan of over 2 grand - that's a mistake npower (or any other energy company for that matter) won't be making again in a hurry.

The PPM meter is a good thing - you can have the debt repayment set at a lower level then they would demand if you still had a credit meter.

Sorry if it's not what you want to hear. I have no experience with bankruptcy procedure, but I doubt it's a better alternative (and they'll still fit the PPM!)

linda_stars

I should have worded the bankruptcy bit better. I have no intention of going bankrupt, just thought it might spur them to setting a payment plan. I intend to pay it in full but wanted to do it without a prepayment meter. In no way was I after "free energy" but thanks for your replies x

sheffield_lad

Pre payment meters are not the devil, for someone in your situation the repayment via the weekly collection will be idea.


Let them fit it build up a decent amount on it so you don't have to top it up weekly.


GL

Wail

Unless you're in a really remote area, I would recommend the PP meters. They offer you an opportunity to draw a line in the sand and repay at a reasonable rate.

How far are you from a newsagents to top up the card/key? If not nearby, NPower may have a online scheme that allows you to top up via the internet and a computer.

If we have swayed your mind on it, I would recommend getting in touch with NPower to arrange a voluntary installation rather than a Warrant that may cost you additional money that they will place on your debt.

linda_stars

Thanks everyone. I'm gonna let them put me on a prepayment meter. Not that I have much choice anyway! Ha.

Do you all think it's too late too volunteer for one? It goes to court on Friday to get a warrant but obviously i won't be blocking them putting one in if it is too late. Will call Npower in the morning but would be good to know what my chances are. x

chanz4

With such short amount of time they will fit on warrant, however working tax credit and housing benefit wouldnt normaly be classed the same as say income support, esa etc.

The issue you have is they would of done a home visit 90 days ago and left a notice of intent to apply for a warrant.

linda_stars

That's interesting. I never got anything before the court date to say they were going to apply for a warrant. Is it always by home visit?

NeverInDebt

The energy company dont have to give you credit and as you clearly shown you are unable to budget properly. Why so against a PPM the energy isnt all that more expensive. If you cant pay off the money then I dont think you have any right to ask for further credit

Try and budget better in future and obviously try and cut down where you can not just on fuel but other things so you get best value out of what little money you can.

The only other thing I can suggest most energy company have a charity which may pay off bills

I will have a quick look on net for links

http://www.npowerenergyfund.com/

chanz4

linda_stars wrote: »

That's interesting. I never got anything before the court date to say they were going to apply for a warrant. Is it always by home visit?

You will of had a letter via the post and a visit to your home, call your supplier they will tell you when