Utility warehouse debt threat.

Legion66689

Good day to all.
I need some help with UW.
I have received a letter this morning (22/8/23) from their debt recovery team, stating that if they don't hear from me by 18/8/23, so 4 days ago, that they will apply for a warrant to break into the property. 

Now here's the thing, the bill is £360.42, the last month or 2 my "energy usage" has jumped from £60ish to £193 and now this month dropped down to £18.

I requested several weeks ago for them to come and take a look at the meter but they're stalling and trying to make me jump through hoops, fiddling with the meter before they'll send anyone, I have refused as I am not a gas engineer, that's their job.

I have called and issued a complaint as they can't threaten someone like this, especially someone that is registered disabled for a neurological disorder.

Now the other thing is that only my name is on the account, and all "owned property" in the flat is in my partners name, legally, bought and insured by her. 

I am currently awaiting a call back from them with regards to this issue and they've promised they'll call back withing 2 hours.

But I'm sitting here shaking and trying very hard not to have a panic attack. 

Can anyone please advise me on what to do?

la531983

What exactly are they asking you to do with your meter? Pressing a few buttons is fine and will not cause it to explode.

Legion66689

The meter is stuck on what appears to be an engineer mode and won't come out of it. The face plate has to be removed and something done internally, as the 2 buttons on the meter only display the same message of "pass thro mode tests complete". I had a gas safety check a few months ago and didn't notice this until UW starting trying to charge me these insane amounts. The scheduling team state they'll only send an engineer if necessary, but as I am unable to use it in the state to provide and accurate reading I would say an engineer is required.

Gerry1

Are you on the Priority Services Register?

Legion66689

Gerry1 said:

Are you on the Priority Services Register?

I honestly don't know, I struggle to remember things that I am registered to.

Robin9

Would you find it easier if your partner could speak to UW on your behalf?

If so send UW a letter authorising her.  Then put your name on the Priority Service Register and follow their complaints procedure in writing.

Legion66689

Unfortunately she is currently away dealing with a family emergency, and with the threat of them obtaining a warrant I have to try to deal with it now.
One of my biggest concerns is that right now  I'm doing OK, I'm coping. But due to my condition, extremely stressful situations (ie, someone attempting to break in) will go 1 of 2 ways. A, I have an episode of syncope and sinus pause then seize ( I black out, my heart temporarily stops, then when restarting I have a seizure) or b, my brain can't regulate my emotional response with regards to fight or flight and I become extremely aggressive. So either I end up in hospital or arrested. 
The last time I had a major episode like that, once It all calmed down I ended up in (they couldn't classify it a coma because of brain activity) a 30hr straight sleep cycle. 

So I'm trying to get ahead of this before it becomes a potential danger to life situation.

Legion66689

I'm expecting a call from their complaints team in the next 30 or so mins. Or so they said.

doodling

Hi,

First question is why would they want to break into your property - the letter should say?

Unless they have gone to court, obtained a CCJ and instructed bailiffs (you would presumably have noticed some letters if that was the case) then it won't be anything directly related to the money, it will probably be to fit a pre-payment meter so that the debt does not increase.

Is it a smart meter?  If it is then it is possible that whatever was done to it has stopped readings from reaching UW  - this would result in estimates being used which could explain why the amounts on the bill differ from what you expect.

I would guess that this has been going on some time and you haven't been paying anything in the mean-time - do you have records of when you first told them that the meter was defective?

I suspect that in the relatively unlikely event that they do obtain a warrant, they will knock on the door before trying to break in so the whole breaking in thing shouldn't happen as you will be able to open the door for them.  You said that you wanted someone to look at the meter so having someone turn up to replace it doesn't sound like something you should be opposed to?

If they are going to replace the meter then make sure that they provide you with the end reading on the old meter and the start reading on the new meter.  If they have been estimating your bills then you will need to know these readings to make sure that your bills are right.

Gerry1

Apply to go on the Priority Services Register and then they'll have to send someone out to read the meter.

superkoopauk

Bear in mind that installing on warrant is currently banned by Ofgem so it wont be happening for a few months at the very least.  And given your condition I imagine it still wont be allowed in your case even then.  The warrant threat goes on most standard debt communications.  So try not to worry too much. 

And while there is a dispute around the usage UW should put any debt collection action on hold

I agree with the advice - get registered for PSR as soon as possible and ask UW to send someone out to sort the meter out so you can determine the true amount you owe.