EDF ENERGY GAS/ELEC >warrant Of Entry >>court Date !!!

The_Saverman

Does anyone what happens at these hearings ?

I've got to go to Magistrates court this week and i'm quite nervous....

EDF energy want to install prepaymeters due to oustanding balance.

My bill is estimated bill is so high......i've sent updated reading but the balance has not been updated yet.

Will I be able to negotiate a repayment plan at the court>

Will they give me a chance to state the reasons why the warrantshould not be granted?

Has anyone been in this situation .....please help ??

Hapless_2

Had you not tried to arrange a repayment before?
Would you rather have a prepayment meter or be cut off?
How far are you in arrears?
Had you contacted them before about financial difficulties?

The_Saverman

Hapless wrote: »

Had you not tried to arrange a repayment before?
Have tried a year ago but the payment plan suggested was rather steep.
Currently, unemployed so need a bit of flexiblity .

Would you rather have a prepayment meter or be cut off?
To be honest I'm put off prepayment meters due to the constant nightmare stories about them. Wouldn't want to be cut off !!!

How far are you in arrears?
Balance Outstanding for Gas is 482.98 estimtated >Meter not read in 18 months
Balance Outstanding for Gas is 190.90 estimated>Meter not read in 5 months

I paid 25.00 towards each bill last week.
I live in a one bedroom flat and I don't use to much gas and elec....the central heating has not been used in 5 years.

Had you contacted them before about financial difficulties?

Did speak to them recently (last week ) but they didn't want to know !!!

Will I be given the chance in court to state my reasons why the warrant should not be granted ?

I realise it's my fault beacuse the meters have not been read. My bills are always overestimated and the last time the bills were so high I just sent them a up to date reading and both bills were drastically reduced and easier to pay !!!

I going to pay some money towards it today but I really don't want prepaymeters.....please help !!!

taxi97w

I don't see how it is your fault the meters have not been read? Unless they are inside your property and you have not given them access to the meters.

Npower tried to charge me £200 because they did not come to alter the meter due to price rises, so for 18months I was using electricity at the very old price. This was deemed unacceptable/unlawful by EnergyWatch and Npower dropped the £200 bill.

PS. I've obviously got a meter, and at the moment am not even spending £5 a week. I'm with Southern Electric who don't charge you extra for having a meter.
You won't be able to switch suppliers until you have paid off the debt, but it's a thought for later.

Ken68

You're going to lose, Saverman. No magistrate will refuse someone getting at their own property. And you stand to pay court costs.

The_Saverman

Ken68 wrote: »

You're going to lose, Saverman. No magistrate will refuse someone getting at their own property. And you stand to pay court costs.

The gas meter is inside my flat ......i've sent a current reading...still the bill has not been updated.

I'm positive the bill will be drastically reduced once it's been read....... I'm sure i'll be able to afford a manageable monthly plan.

Hapless_2

Did you not do quarterly readings? Only I'm with EDF for electricity and I get reminders to send in readings?

vik6525

Edf took me to court and all, and installed meters. And i have to say, its the best thing thats ever happened. My partner, my son and I have a LOT of electrical items (tvs, games consoles, computers etc) but I only have to put £15 on the meter a week. And the gas? Its less than a fiver a week. I was like the op, absolutly panicked at the idea, but i swear, its not half as bad as it sounds...

BexTech

Prepayment meters are good for those who are useless at budgeting and money management, however you do pay more for you gas and electric than those who can pay monthly by direct debit often 25% or more.

However it may encourage people to use less energy.

I can't stand prepayment meters, can't stand the hassle, can't stand the higher costs, so whenever I've moved into a property with prepayment meters they are swapped out straight away, I don't want the hassle of going to a shop to top up, I don't want to be paying over the odds. I do however watch what I am using, noting down each week my meter readings and switch things off when not in use.

Terrylw1

Hi Saverman,

The ruling will be to gain entry, then will come round and fit the pre-payment meter. You won't get away from that as they will have contacted you on their records so it will show that they have followed reasonsable practices.

Your only hope is if they have been overbilling you. If you can prove that, you stand a good chance of making a complaint against them for the hassle which they will struggle to justify.

Contact Energywatch for advise as per the back of your bill as you have potentially a few issues in there that you need help on.

Good luck...