CCJ's and Energy switching

miser2013

My partner has 5 CCJ's (3 paid off and 2 awaiting her ex to clear payment) still attached to her record left over from her ex's inability to manage his finances. She has attempted to switch energy providers and all looked good until recently when her old company started demanding payments. A short notification was sent to her from the company she was switching to stating that they were not willing to complete the switch because of the poor credit record attached to her? It unfortunately went to her junk mail folder! If she joins your energy club will this continue to be a problem? All her payments are organised now and she is solvent but really being fleeced on anything that requires direct debit? Seems extremely unfair to me?

HappyMJ

Why don't you put the energy account in your name? You are partners after all. If your credit is good you can choose any energy supplier. You don't need to own the house to have the energy accounts in your name.

solentsusie

I had a similar problem when moving house. I only have two old defaults on my file over 3 years old for very small amounts.


The previous supplier was NPower and I only contacted them as there was confusion over my moving in reading and I kept getting bills from other suppliers. They kept telling me they had to go through the credit checking to set up my account and apparently I failed it as they only offered me a prepayment meter unless I paid a £200 deposit.


I have never had a problem in switching before and used to do it regularly. I suppose it depends on the utility supplier involved.


I switched to EON as it came up as one of the best for me, absolutely no problems. Before I have had OVO, Scottish Power, British Gas, Sainsbury's and never failed the credit checks and my history was worse back then.


I will say though that any supplier will expect you to pay off your outstanding debt, particularly if it is substantial, before allowing a switch. Perhaps this is where it is falling down?


If the debts are actually her ex's are they in her name or his? If they are in his can she not apply to the CRA's to disassociate herself from him? Or are all the CCJ's in her name?

miser2013

Thanks for the comments,
Putting the account into my name is not going to be acceptable to her. She is trying to build a new life and understandably wants her financial independence. She is desperately trying to build a credit record that is good and shows good intent. Her previous relationship had her name attached to all sorts of business transactions from her ex-husbands companies and properties which will not clear her name form even if she presents a decree absolute, company letters showing her "resignation" etc. Yes the CCJ's are in both their names but she is an easier target having custody over the children etc..
A very good point is that the balance had not been paid off prior to her switching application, that will be paid today! Then try again I suppose?

Guest101

miser2013 wrote: »

Thanks for the comments,
Putting the account into my name is not going to be acceptable to her. - Not sure why, but ok. She is trying to build a new life and understandably wants her financial independence. She is desperately trying to build a credit record that is good and shows good intent. - Utilities wont matter a smidge when there's 5 CCJs. She needs to wait for some of the bad credit to drop off. Her previous relationship had her name attached to all sorts of business transactions from her ex-husbands companies and properties which will not clear her name form even if she presents a decree absolute, company letters showing her "resignation" etc. - And they shouldn't, if she signed her name to documents without considering the implications, it's not the creditors job to write off her debt. Yes the CCJ's are in both their names but she is an easier target having custody over the children etc.. - Not sure how that makes her an 'easier' target?
A very good point is that the balance had not been paid off prior to her switching application, that will be paid today! Then try again I suppose?

Or try different suppliers, or as joint names?

miser2013

Unhelpful and extremely judgmental, I think we are done 101.