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Warrent to enter to change my metre but they left it so that I am unable to get in.

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MListin
MListin Posts: 18 Forumite
I owe Npower a lot of money (over £800) I've been trying to pay it off but not fast enough for them and they insisted on fitting a prepayment metre, my landlord said he would only allow me to get one if npower took me to court, so they said they would, they did yesterday and I assumed they would write to me and let me know and I could agree to them coming around, but they didn't, they just came around this morning when I was out and changed the locks, which is annoying but fine, I traveled to the address they left (40 miles away) to collect the keys but when I got home the door wouldn't open. It's a upvc door and the handle no longer plus up it turns 360 degrees around and around, so the door won't open at all.
I have no other way into the house.
I have tried calling npower but it says the phone lines are closed until Monday, I don't know what to do.

I have two young children and we are currently at a friends house but we can't sleep here and I don't know where I'm going to go.

Can anyone offer any advice?

Thank you.

(I did post this elsewhere but I think It was in the wrong topic, sorry for the confusion I am new to the forum)
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Comments

  • CashStrapped
    CashStrapped Posts: 1,302 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    edited 2 April 2016 at 11:01PM
    Contact the landlord and get them to contact an emergency locksmith. If they do not agree (for whatever reason) or you cant reach them call one yourself. Get them to write an invoice (make two) explaining the issue and then you can send one to npower to claim the amount back. It does mean an upfront cost to you, but you need access. Explain the situation to the locksmith and they may even just help you out if it is a simple issue.

    That is the only option (at this stage) I can think of.

    Getting in to the property is obviously your priority. So whatever happens. As long as you are sure the door will not open, a locksmith is the only option.
  • Hi,

    when a warrant of entry is used, for whatever reason, premises must be left secure, which they have done.
  • prowla
    prowla Posts: 13,946 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    However, they do have to allow the resident access to their house.
  • HappyMJ
    HappyMJ Posts: 21,115 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    MListin wrote: »
    I owe Npower a lot of money (over £800) I've been trying to pay it off but not fast enough for them and they insisted on fitting a prepayment metre, my landlord said he would only allow me to get one if npower took me to court, so they said they would, they did yesterday and I assumed they would write to me and let me know and I could agree to them coming around, but they didn't, they just came around this morning when I was out and changed the locks, which is annoying but fine, I traveled to the address they left (40 miles away) to collect the keys but when I got home the door wouldn't open. It's a upvc door and the handle no longer plus up it turns 360 degrees around and around, so the door won't open at all.
    I have no other way into the house.
    I have tried calling npower but it says the phone lines are closed until Monday, I don't know what to do.

    I have two young children and we are currently at a friends house but we can't sleep here and I don't know where I'm going to go.

    Can anyone offer any advice?

    Thank you.

    (I did post this elsewhere but I think It was in the wrong topic, sorry for the confusion I am new to the forum)

    Call a locksmith. Call the landlord so they can get a locksmith. Either way you'll probably have to pay to get in.

    £800 is a lot of arrears. That amount would have accrued over quite a long time. How much were you paying each month towards the arrears?
    :footie:
    :p Regular savers earn 6% interest (HSBC, First Direct, M&S) :p Loans cost 2.9% per year (Nationwide) = FREE money. :p
  • On the Npower website it says in an emergency for a gas leak or any other emergency , ring 0800 111 999. This will get you to National Grids 24 hour service. I think I would tell a white lie if they can t help and say I may have left my gas on.. They can organise a 24 hr locksmith to get you in at their expense. 24 hour locksmiths will charge what they can get away with
  • MeterMan
    MeterMan Posts: 433 Forumite
    Seventh Anniversary 100 Posts
    Don't tell national grid that you think you left something on.

    They don't break down doors to make safe, they will dig the road up and cut the gas off in the street.
  • C_Mababejive
    C_Mababejive Posts: 11,668 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    sacsquacco wrote: »
    On the Npower website it says in an emergency for a gas leak or any other emergency , ring 0800 111 999. This will get you to National Grids 24 hour service. I think I would tell a white lie if they can t help and say I may have left my gas on.. They can organise a 24 hr locksmith to get you in at their expense. 24 hour locksmiths will charge what they can get away with
    I disagree. This situation has absolutely nothing to do with National Grid. This is between tenant and npower so she needs to speak to them. They should have ensured that the new locks operate correctly and that tenant can gain entry once new keys have been supplied.
    Feudal Britain needs land reform. 70% of the land is "owned" by 1 % of the population and at least 50% is unregistered (inherited by landed gentry). Thats why your slave box costs so much..
  • C_Mababejive
    C_Mababejive Posts: 11,668 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    MeterMan wrote: »
    Don't tell national grid that you think you left something on.

    They don't break down doors to make safe, they will dig the road up and cut the gas off in the street.

    I doubt they will even do that. They dont act on the wishes of members of the public. They act on their assessment of the situation, evidence and judgment. If they see nothing going on, then there is no reason or justification to act under the Rights of entry Regs.
    Feudal Britain needs land reform. 70% of the land is "owned" by 1 % of the population and at least 50% is unregistered (inherited by landed gentry). Thats why your slave box costs so much..
  • MListin
    MListin Posts: 18 Forumite
    I'm sorry for not replying over the weekend, my phone battery died and I didn't have access to a charger.

    To answer a few Q's.
    My landlord will not help, I tried calling him but he basically said "sorry it's your problem"

    I can not afford a locksmith.

    The debt is so large because I didn't know about it until a month ago. My ex had control of the finances and led me to believe bills were being paid when they weren't (I also didn't know it was all in my name)

    So I have sill not been able to get in, I called npower first thing this morning but I failed the security questions so the person I spoke with refused to talk to me.
    I tried calling again (several times) but because I can't get the questions right they will not speak to me.

    My ex set the account up in my name, so all I can think is he entered my DOB incorrect and I have no idea which email address was used, I've tried to guess but failed.

    I don't know what to do.
  • C_Mababejive
    C_Mababejive Posts: 11,668 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    1)Phone the bailiffs who attended and tell them their locksmith hasnt fitted the locks properly and you cant get in..?
    2)Break in yourself?
    Feudal Britain needs land reform. 70% of the land is "owned" by 1 % of the population and at least 50% is unregistered (inherited by landed gentry). Thats why your slave box costs so much..
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