Threat to fit prepayment meter

Lioness_Twinkletoes

A former energy supplier has written to advise that they might fit a pre-payment meter if a bill isn't paid. Given that this is a former supplier is this action they can take?

As an aside their customer is still waiting for a final bill and has been since November.

molerat

No they can't ......... but ......... as going to court for a warrant is a bit of a rubber stamping exercise it is not beyond the incompetence of these suppliers to do just that. You need to send a formal written complaint to them and keep a copy and proof of postage.

chanz4

Are you sure the transfer actually went through

House_Martin

If someone has attempted to switch supplier and not paid up the account then any switch will be rejected. If this is the case the supplier is nt "the former " supplier but the "current supplier.
A final bill has not been sent and settled so it looks like the switch has nt gone through
Prepayment meter users can switch with up to £500 owing.
So yes they can fit a prepayment meter and apply for a warrant to fit it if access is refused .The customer pays for the warrant cost, about £150

badmemory

Once you accept that all energy suppliers are to be blunt incompetent, then you accept the fact that you need to check every single action that they were supposed to make. The first would be billing you correctly the second would be transferring you properly. Have they done these things? If not write to them - headed complaint - preferably special delivery so you have a record. Do not ring, funnily enough that will be the one call that wasn't recorded, strange that isn't it?

Lioness_Twinkletoes

Thanks everyone, for the updated responses.

I can confirm that an email from the current (new) supplier was received confirming the switch had taken place. This has now been confirmed by the new company - they've been supplying since 29 November 2017. Further, no bills from the old supplier have been produced since end September.

As far as we are aware, there was no outstanding balance and no bill has been received - at all. The only communications being received are e-mailed demands for this sum of money. There is no explanation as to how it has come about or even if it is indeed the final demand.

What I can take from this is that IF the switch has taken place (and I am confident it has) then they cannot force a pre-payment meter.

A letter has been sent a letter to the company by both e-mail and recorded delivery asking them to provide an explanation of the amount being demanded and a final bill. Once these have been received a payment plan will be set up with them.

There is no intention to avoid payment, but it would be nice to have an idea of how this figure has been generated.

Michaelw

House_Martin wrote: »

If someone has attempted to switch supplier and not paid up the account then any switch will be rejected. If this is the case the supplier is nt "the former " supplier but the "current supplier.
A final bill has not been sent and settled so it looks like the switch has nt gone through
Prepayment meter users can switch with up to £500 owing.

For many years prepayment was seen as not a real prospect for most people many didn't have to consider it an option but today the situation is completly different.It can offer benefits for some now including a lower tarriff rate,being able to switch easier with a debt and prioity asistance.Howerver this little real choice in savings per year and it does appear that some suppliers are attempting a means test before installing a prepayment meter if a customer requests when there are signs of falling into arrears on the next quartely bill.They would rater keep people on a standard tarriff at an higher rate if they can afford it.

If people cannot switch because of thir finacial position,this in turn effects the whole idea of competition.Large ammounts build in a short period of time when on a low income on credit mode/meters.

Lioness_Twinkletoes

Hi. I've got an update on this. We got confirmation from the energy company that we were no longer their customer and that they wouldn't attempt to fit a prepayment meter. We received no more letters or emails and were still waiting for the final bill. My formal complaint was kind of answered so I left it there.

Today We come home to a cold house and a boiler that isn't working. Waited all evening for a gas engineer who found out that the gas supply had been capped. There was no notification left on the gas meter and nothing put through the door. I then checked the former account to find three arrears letters including a very recent final bill. We had received none of these. Nine said anything about capping the gas supply.

Can they legally do this? It's cost an arm and leg to get an emergency gas engineer out. Ironically half of the final bill!

molerat

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/energy/energy-supply/problems-with-your-energy-supply/if-youve-been-told-your-energy-supply-will-be-disconnected/

Who is the former supplier ? They should not have disconnected without notice and they should have left notice / copy of the warrant if they have. You need to contact them and start a formal complaint. Is there anyone in the house who is considered vulnerable ?

Lioness_Twinkletoes

molerat wrote: »

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/energy/energy-supply/problems-with-your-energy-supply/if-youve-been-told-your-energy-supply-will-be-disconnected/

Who is the former supplier ? They should not have disconnected without notice and they should have left notice / copy of the warrant if they have. You need to contact them and start a formal complaint. Is there anyone in the house who is considered vulnerable ?

I'll contact them today. No, there is no one in the house who can be considered vulnerable.

I am absolutely livid.

Smodlet

Do you not have an online account, Lioness, to which you can refer? Does it not show bills? If you are on an online tariff, you would not receive paper bills.