Threatened to be cut off.

NorthFin

We are struggling with high cost of living and our benefits only just cover rent and council tax since they went up so much and benefits have gone down so much.

It is no excuse I know, but we havent been able to pay our bills for quite some time now.

The letter we keep getting says they will cut us off soon, but they have been saying that for a while.

When it happens, is there any emergency way I could get a few days worth until the fit the prepay meters?

Will they fit the metres before they cut us off, we have small children.

Bluebirdman_of_Alcathays

You are extremely unlikely to be cut off. It's in the companies interest to fit a PPM - it guarantees they'll get their money back.

If the engineer turns up without a warrant, you can refuse them entry. They will then, however, add the cost of the warrant application process to your debt. If they turn up with the correct paperwork first time, there's nothing you can do.

The problem is, if you can't pay now, how will you pay in the future? You need to sort out your financial affairs - there is plenty of help out there to do so, particularly on the Debt-Free wannabe section of this forum.

NorthFin

Bluebirdman_of_Alcathays wrote: »

You are extremely unlikely to be cut off. It's in the companies interest to fit a PPM - it guarantees they'll get their money back.

If the engineer turns up without a warrant, you can refuse them entry. They will then, however, add the cost of the warrant application process to your debt. If they turn up with the correct paperwork first time, there's nothing you can do.

The problem is, if you can't pay now, how will you pay in the future? You need to sort out your financial affairs - there is plenty of help out there to do so, particularly on the Debt-Free wannabe section of this forum.

Thanks fior good information.

How can anyone live with these high rents I have no idea. The only thing we can hope for is rents to slowly come back down as many as saying.

I know I could move to a cheaper area but all our family are here.

We will be going for a DRO as soon as the prepay metres are fitted.

Can I then shop around to choose another company for my PPM service?

I know you end up paying a little more with PPM, is that correct? But at least you know where you are and can not slide into even more debt as has happened with me.

McKneff

Benefits have not gone down as far as I am aware ??


Put up an SOA and we will try and help you with a budget.

[Deleted User]

They can cut off , but not if any "vulnerable customers " involved.. I suppose that means, with children, disabled, ill etc..Gas can be cut off but not electric

macman

If you agree to the voluntary fitment of PPM's then you will save yourself the extra cost of the court action and warrant. You won't be able to switch suppliers while you have more than a certain level of debt, (typically £200), how else will your existing suppliers recover the debt if your PPM account is not with them?
Better to take the initiative rather than sit back and let it happen.

sheffield_lad

agree with the above, get them fitted and it's one less bill to worry over. GL

NorthFin

McKneff wrote: »

Benefits have not gone down as far as I am aware ??


Put up an SOA and we will try and help you with a budget.

Yes they have. When the benefit cap came in our housing benefit was reduced greatly, and this last year the landlord put the rent up a huge amount.

sacsquacco wrote: »

They can cut off , but not if any "vulnerable customers " involved.. I suppose that means, with children, disabled, ill etc..Gas can be cut off but not electric

We have young children. So what situation would they cut of gas? But you say they can not cut off electric?

macman

Yes, they will have to leave you with a source of energy for heating/cooking, which electricity can do. But since your bills will then triple, that is not a sensible option. Take control and request PPM's now before you have no choice. Doing nothing is not an option.

Richie-from-the-Boro

The bottom line is with your disposable income you can not afford to live there. The reduction of housing benefit is a reduction in the taxpayer subsidy of your home, you could never really afford to live there in the first and the 'now' case. Now that reality replaces the unreasonable burden on taxpayers what is happening is what was intended to happen those living in a dwelling or area that is unaffordable without subsidies, are eventually forced to move to an area or dwelling they can afford. If you don't willingly and urgently put the PPM's in you will be hit with even more bad financial news, delaying the PPM is going to make your plight even more miserable.

NorthFin

Thanks for the advice everyone, so lest week they fitted the PPM metres. I agreed to everything they did not need a warrant. I have the keys that need topping up, we went to post office and put £10 on each of them.

My thinking is to always have a £10 spare if the one runs out, until I get the other topped up.

So we had it fitted last week and we topped up £10. We did normal TV and PC etc, a little cooking as normal, so today we are sitting there watching TV and browsing the net, and all the lights go out!!!!!!

£10 in a few days, no !!!!!!! way. We have put the other spare £10 top up in but wont be able to top up again until our benefits come through next week.

My phone still works even though no electric in the house. I phoned them up and they said they can give me an emergency power supply because we have kids. But all the icecreams in the freezer are melting.

Is inflation really that bad that utilities are so expensive? I know I am paying off my debts but £10 for a few days is just crazy. I wish it was clear how much I was paying per unit and how much I was using etc, but I hear people say dont get a smart meter.

We are trying to get a DRO through, then we can shop around for the best offer with our PPMs? Is that right once the DRO has gone through I can try and get a better deal with any utility company?