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Warrant for disconnection or prepayment meter gas

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  • simonj12
    simonj12 Posts: 15 Forumite
    weejangus wrote: »
    Is your property by any chance operated by an IGT (Independant Gas Transporter)? Scottish Power tried to bill me for months of energy usage despite me moving to and paying another supplier. SP have recently updated their systems and it didn't close down my old account.

    If you need to know (and prove) who your supplier is / was for any date, call the Meter Number Helpline (0870 608 1524), give them your Meter Point Reference Number (MPRN) which should be on the meter. They can confirm who your supplier is and has been since you moved in. If its Scottish Power, you will be due a refund from Green Star which can be used to pay SP. If it's Green Star, you need to provide SP with the date you moved in (including the meter reading on this day) and the date your supply left SP (including the meter reading on this day). They can only bill you for the Actual energy used plus standing charge for the number of days you were with them (approx 24p per day).

    Hope you get it sorted soon.

    J

    Thanks for that. I've just rang and the automated system confirms that the supplier is Hudson Energy Supply Ltd who are the holding/parent/ t/a / whatever company for Green Star. Starting to get a bit of my swagger back :j
  • weejangus
    weejangus Posts: 111 Forumite
    simonj12 wrote: »
    Thanks for that. I've just rang and the automated system confirms that the supplier is Hudson Energy Supply Ltd who are the holding/parent/ t/a / whatever company for Green Star. Starting to get a bit of my swagger back :j

    Excellent! Now you will need to contact Scottish Power (or attend the hearing) and explain that, as they are not the supplier of your property, they cannot touch the meter. :D
  • simonj12
    simonj12 Posts: 15 Forumite
    I was just about to ask whether I should attend the hearing. It might well be less stressful than a couple or three hours on the phone to the SP call centre.
    I'm guessing there's no legal procedure that SP, their representatives or the court need to follow which involves checking the MPRN database before a warrant is issued in the absence of a defence. If so that's very worrying. Also does any such procedure exist at the time of executing the warrant by the engineers when they change the meter or disconnect the supply?
  • CashStrapped
    CashStrapped Posts: 1,302 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    edited 23 March 2016 at 4:26PM
    Dear me, just ring Scottish Power speak to a manager and you should be able to knock this on the head very quickly. You just need to be clear, concice, have evidance to hand and be polite. Record the call via speaker phone if you want evidance.

    If you do not do this, and you do not attend the hearing the judge will just authorise the warrent.

    I appreciate you don't want to be stuck on the phone, but it is a minor inconvenience to save a lot of inconvenience.

    If you have

    1) A document stating the start of the tenancy agreement.
    2) Evidance that you gave greenstar an opening meter read and the date.

    Then you should have no issue.

    But you need to speak with someone! And Soon!

    Emails can/often just get ignored or belatedly responded to.
  • D_M_E
    D_M_E Posts: 3,008 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Fourth Anniversary Name Dropper
    I would not bother contacting SP on the phone about this - I would WRITE explaining the circumstances, enclosing opening and closing readings from your short period with SP and stating what evidence you have to back up your case and send the letter recorded delivery and keep a copy for further evidence.

    I would also turn up in court with all evidence and fully expect SP's case to be thrown out and, if possible, ask the court for compensation for having to endure SP's incompetence and also for the time spent in trying to get SP to listen and get this saga sorted.

    That's what I would do.
  • weejangus
    weejangus Posts: 111 Forumite
    I tried dealing with the call center for ages before I decided to give up on that route and start emailing everything instead. It takes a few days for a response but at least you can demonstrate to the Ombudsman (if it comes to that... and it might) everything you have done to resolve the issue.

    The email address to use is - customer.services@scottishpower.com

    Make it clear that you are raising a complaint and you will require the complaint reference number. The customer service team isn't great but the are more than happy to send your email off to the complaints team - and they're all right.

    You then would be best to give as much info as you can. Date moved in and meter reading. Date your supply left SP and Meter reading. Make it clear that their system is incorrect. You are not supplied by SP. Acknowledge that their system may say that you are, but you're not. Explain that you have verified with the Meter Number Helpline (quote the number above) that your supply is with Hudson Energy Supply Ltd (AKA Green Star).

    You will now require that they calculate your bill accurately (using the details you provided above, not using estimates). You expect this bill to be provided to you within a resonable timescale and you will make arrangements to pay it. However, I would also be pushing for compensation due to the hassle SP have given you, i.e. the legal action and threat of replacing the meter to Pre-Payment.

    Finally, you may want to request some form of written confirmation that the legal preceedings will be halted due to this new information (namely Scottish Power don't supply you - This will be news to them, no matter how many times you've told them. They believe their system is never wrong... it was for me and it clearly is for you).

    Expect a response (even if it's just confirmation of your complaint ref) within a few working days.
  • molerat
    molerat Posts: 34,540 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    Even if you do get it in writing that action has halted I would still contact the court or turn up as often they still go ahead and you will arrive home one day and find pre pays fitted.
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 0 Newbie
    Eighth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    edited 23 March 2016 at 7:28PM
    Molerat is correct, just turn up in court and the magistrate wont stamp it. I m sure Scot Power are nt that stupid to force fit prepays in this case.
  • undaunted
    undaunted Posts: 1,870 Forumite
    edited 24 March 2016 at 5:23PM
    I agree with D_M_E, keep your contacts in writing - which you then have evidence of rather than making phone calls that you can't prove.


    Also with molerat, IE unless the Court confirms to you that the hearing has been cancelled beforehand you really must attend and be prepared to object to any warrant request.


    It should be thrown out if it does make it that far as soon as you point out to the Judge that they do not supply the property and therefore have no right to touch the meter, quite apart from the fact that the debt isn't even yours


    Good luck
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