SSE SouthernElectric

scarletthollie7

This company is sending my mum threatening letters she us a council tenant who pays her heating and hot water charges as part of her rent. They have this year 3 times sent my mum these letters because they are not being paid by the council. Talking to SSE is absolutely horrendous they say that they have a legal obligation to do this - what can l do to stop this

Thank you

Bluebirdman_of_Alcathays

Forward them to the council.

Skools_Out

scarletthollie7 wrote: »

This company is sending my mum threatening letters she us a council tenant who pays her heating and hot water charges as part of her rent. They have this year 3 times sent my mum these letters because they are not being paid by the council. Talking to SSE is absolutely horrendous they say that they have a legal obligation to do this - what can l do to stop this

Thank you

In what way does your mum consider the contents of these letters "threatening"?

In what way is talking to SSE "absolutely horrendous"?

I agree with BoA, if your mum thinks the council should be paying her bills but are repeatedly not doing so, then she should bring this to the attention of the council involved.

scarletthollie7

Thank you for your comments . We have and are trying to deal with the council who are far from being helpful. Dealing with SSE has been horrendous as they will not listen to what we are saying just quote they have a legal obligation to send these letters.

My mum is 88 and in poor health.

By posting on here l was trying to see if anyone had any ideas or knew of anything that might help us

scarletthollie7

Quote from letter: we are required by law to inform you that we are taking steps that could lead to a pay as you go meter fitted or disconnection of your gas supply to avoid a debt collector visiting , etc

This is distressing for an elderly person in poor health to receive someone who has always paid her bills on time and usually in credit.

Bluebirdman_of_Alcathays

I don't think that excerpt is threatening - it's factual. Your fight isn't with SSE, it's with the council.


What do the council have to say about this?

Skools_Out

[Text removed by MSE Forum Team]

Are you sure that is is not the way you are speacking to both of them that may be causing the issues, or perhaps that they are simply not giving you the sanswers you want to hear that is the fundamental problem here?

Anyway, if you really are having problems with the council, follow their complaint procedure. Or consider contacting your locally elected councillor to assist you.

If your mother is ill, she should see her doctor.

Skools_Out

scarletthollie7 wrote: »

...
This is distressing for an elderly person in poor health to receive someone who has always paid her bills on time and usually in credit.

[Text removed by MSE Forum Team] According to your OP, it seems she is expecting the council to pay her bills now ... and it seems they are not doing so.
(I'm sure if this is correct, the council will only pay on receipt of bill anyway, and would not put your mums account into credit)

Laurensalive

I would also check you Mum's tenancy terms to make sure that there has been no amendments for heating charges.

scarletthollie7

I have always found these forums a source of help. While you are entitled to your comments it really is not helping by slating me for the words l am using . My mum has been a council tenant for many years her rent includes a charge for heating and hot water which us always paid in advance. It is this payment that l am asking for help on.

We have and are in contact with the housing department and SSE my frustration is we keep hit our heads against a brick wall . We tell them what is happening to no avail.

I was just posting to see if anyone was aware of a avenue that l might not have considered.
Constructive replies welcomed - thank you

naedanger

scarletthollie7 wrote: »

This company is sending my mum threatening letters she us a council tenant who pays her heating and hot water charges as part of her rent. They have this year 3 times sent my mum these letters because they are not being paid by the council. Talking to SSE is absolutely horrendous they say that they have a legal obligation to do this - what can l do to stop this

Thank you

If you are sure the bill should be in the council's name then I suggest you ask SSE for a copy of their complaints procedure. Then make your complaint in writing. Be clear what you want SSE to do e.g. ensure all bills are in future correctly addressed and an apology given for any distress their previous failures have caused.

The complaint process is unlikely to be quick. However if after 8 weeks it is not solved to your satisfaction then the complaint can be taken to the Ombudsman. (SSE's complaint process should explain this.) If you are planning on complaining on behalf of your mother then I suggest you draft a letter for her to sign saying she is giving you her authority to act on her behalf in dealing with SSE. Then ensure you include a copy of this in any correspondence with SSE.

I suggest you also contact the council to hear what they have to say.

It is good that you are helping your mother. I fully understand how an elderly person could find this both threatening and distressing. I also find the ignorance of some other posters regarding the elderly as surprising.