Change supplier with debt

Streaky_Bacon

Assuming it all goes through, they will initially demand payment in full and you will have to contact them to negotiate a payment plan. They have an obligation to act reasonably, and it will be in their best interests to do so.

If you get to that point I would suggest a formal complaint to them asking them to review how they managed the debt, along with a request for a payment plan.

Essmum

If you're lucky they wont stop the switch..however some suppliers are now using the credit agency's to check the new tenants and if your partner has applied for credit from that address in the past they will know you're trying to pull a fast one..
You will still have to pay between £150-£300 a month to clear the final balance if they do agree to a payment plan.
Do you have high usage or have you just not been paying the bill?

MWT

Robin9 wrote: »

You're about to find out. Don't be surprised if Edf block the switch.

This isn't a switch though is it, so not sure how they could block it?


I would expect the next step from them would be a demand for full payment.


After that it is down to negotiations I guess...

Streaky_Bacon

Azareef wrote: »

Thank you for all the replies, my supplier is EDF and they tell me I can't change tariff, unfortunately I owe around £3000+. They had me on a monthly bill that I just couldn't afford it was a long time ago and I'm trying to sort my financial situation out.

The other thing that you should check is that none of the debt could be written off due to the "backbilling" rules.

In short, these are rules which prevent a supplier from billing you for energy more than 12 months after you consumed that energy.

They are supposed to stop "shock bills" where a supplier hasn't charged for energy in a timely manner and then sends a bill for a very large amount.

The rules are compulsory now, but also applied to EDF several years back as they signed up to a voluntary code.

There is some more information here:

https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/consumers/household-gas-and-electricity-guide/who-contact-if-its-difficult-paying-energy-bills/energy-backbilling-guide-your-rights

Given that the supplier allowed this debt to build up to such a large amount, I wonder if the above might have happened to you.

Cardew

Azareef wrote: »

Can EDF really request I pay the amount owed in full I don't have that sort of money to give out surely they must be able to accept a payment plan ?

As said above, the switch will probably be blocked or reversed.


If companies allowed people to switch with a £3,000 debt, many would just move from company to company leaving a string of debts behind.