Npower - ombudsman

hra_2

naedanger wrote: »

Even if the Ombudsman has no statutory powers you would expect they would be going public with their dis-satisfaction with this state of affairs.

I have been trying to find out what corresponding statutory powers the Energy Ombudsman does have (if any).

The legal framework seems to be that this is a redress scheme set up under sections 47-49 of the Consumers, Estate Agents and Redress Act 2007. It requires regulated firms to belong to the scheme and that the scheme has to satisfy certain criteria one of which is that there is satisfactory provision for the ombudsman's "investigation or determination" of complaints:
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2007/17/section/49

The Energy Ombudsman's own factsheet confirms that their scheme is based on CEAR 2007 and goes on to state "Our decisions are binding on the firm or company and enforceable in court":
http://www.ombudsman-services.org/downloads/OSenergy_factsheet.pdf

Even more specifically the Ombudsman Services (covering Energy) factsheet for participating companies states: "If you do not implement the proposed remedy the consumer can take legal action."
http://www.ombudsman-services.org/our-powers.html

HUMBUG

God ! Here we go again with NPOWER. Even after intervention via my local MP and several weeks gone having an 'Npower single point of contact', I suddenly get some more letters sent today to my address but relating to my upstairs neighbour's electricity. This suggests to me that they still can't fix a simple billing address issue after 14 months. So this letter says 'Helping you out when you're moving house' (which I'm not ) and is exactly the same type of letter I received 14 months ago which instigated my initial query . I am now expecting demand letters sent to my address again for my neighbours electricity usage with threats of warrants and forceful entry. Wonder if I can take NPOWER to court for harassment !!! Would love to be able to serve their CEO (Paul Massara) a writ to scare the 'bejesuses' out of him. The trouble they have caused me and other customers is disgraceful!!!