Eon Next Warrant

neph_2

Hi Folks

Hope this is the right place

So for background - Eon electricty meter killed by storm 6 years ago, reported and inspected, put on a waiting list for replacement due to Asbestos. Over time they repeatedly send meter readers to read a blank meter that are increasingly aggressive. 2 years ago we write to the CEO and receive no reply. Want a new meter, dont want asshats banging on doors. Last 3 years, it seems that the people Eon send to inspect the meter for safety log the visit as "refused entry".  There is no appointment, if you're not in, in the bath, in the garden you're a meter fiddler despite them already knowing the problem. Phone Eon each time after threatening subsequent letter who say, yes you still on the asbestos list.......

Fast forward to Sept this year and receive a letter saying impending Warrant to break into the house to see meter, something which has not been refused. They've already seen the damn thing many times. Phone Eon, warrant cancelled and visit from jack booted Eon Next squad again with no prior notice. Not allowed in this time due to vulnerable young adult but we take pictures and share for which they are happy. Told that the job of replacement not arduous after all and they will contact us with a 72 hour slot to replace it.

Yesterday received a call from a neighbour that the house is being broken into whilst we're away. It's Eon Next engineer, goon, trainee goon with a locksmith. Drive 2 hours and they're still there, shown warrant and told suck it up. Phone EoN who say that they have no details on a warrant being issued.

We had no idea a warrant was raised again and unlike last time no notice was given

I contact Birmingham magistrates to ask on what basis it was granted and how we could of contested it if we werent aware of it. Told that it was issued under "national guidelines" and for any other details we have to contact Eon as they have nothing other than the actual warrant document itself.

How can a legal document be raised without the right to contest and how can a court not provide details of the basis it was raised against. If its law that these are just auto issued its a scandal.

We have asked (via cit advice) for last 6 years of comms, awaiting this before going further

Your musing appreciated

Cheers

[Deleted User]

Hi,

did they change the meter?

MeteredOut

First thing, get a complaint opened with Eon (of not already done). This starts the 8 week clock ticking so you can take this to the Energy Ombudsman. On the basis of how you've described things, Eon have truly screwed up here and unless you somehow manage to get to speak to someone who actually cares/has any authority, you're only likely to get somewhere via the Ombusdman.

Did the forced entry cause any damage? Did they actually gain entry? Did they do anything if they did gain entry?

Brie

I thought that warrants were being approved in batches.  So the court would receive 20? (or 50 or???) in a bundle and a random one would be looked  at and if it looks ok the whole batch is ok'd.  So chances are no one looked at "your" warrant even assuming it had anything remotely like the facts. 

Complaint to Eon.  Take lots of photos of the damage.  Provide receipts for the ruined holiday/day away/travel back/ruined door/cost of repairs/cleaning.   

neph_2

MeteredOut said:

First thing, get a complaint opened with Eon (of not already done). This starts the 8 week clock ticking so you can take this to the Energy Ombudsman. On the basis of how you've described things, Eon have truly screwed up here and unless you somehow manage to get to speak to someone who actually cares/has any authority, you're only likely to get somewhere via the Ombusdman.

Did the forced entry cause any damage? Did they actually gain entry? Did they do anything if they did gain entry?

No damage I'm aware of (partner and I live seperately), they put in a new meter. We were happy for them to do this, all they had to do was call us to say which day they were coming and we would of put the kettle on. We were told by cit adv to get the comms history before making the complaint. Eon told us it could take upto 30 days but usually quicker. Ombundsman is the route, zero trust in Eon and no doubt all those "we record all calls" will suddenly be absent. As i said we even emailed the CEO but never got a reply 

neph_2

Brie said:

I thought that warrants were being approved in batches.  So the court would receive 20? (or 50 or???) in a bundle and a random one would be looked  at and if it looks ok the whole batch is ok'd.  So chances are no one looked at "your" warrant even assuming it had anything remotely like the facts. 

Complaint to Eon.  Take lots of photos of the damage.  Provide receipts for the ruined holiday/day away/travel back/ruined door/cost of repairs/cleaning.   

My good lady is now genuinely terrified of noises outside and anyone coming to the door thinking they've come back. Its horrid. Having strangers inside your house with a warrant is one thing, its another when your not there. She darent stay or leave.

Brie

Glad things are somewhat sorted and little or no damage except to your nerves.  Still the fact that you had to interrupt your time away should be compensated.

You'll need to follow their complaint process but I would suggest you also tell them you are making a subject access request (SAR) in which you required transcripts of all phone calls made to them since this fiasco started.  

neph_2

Brie said:

Glad things are somewhat sorted and little or no damage except to your nerves.  Still the fact that you had to interrupt your time away should be compensated.

You'll need to follow their complaint process but I would suggest you also tell them you are making a subject access request (SAR) in which you required transcripts of all phone calls made to them since this fiasco started.  

Thanks. yes, we did this yesterday, by phone and will follow up with an email today. The way these warrants are issued is a crime against democracy if what you say is true.

Scot_39

neph_2 said:

Hi Folks

Hope this is the right place

So for background - Eon electricty meter killed by storm 6 years ago, reported and inspected, put on a waiting list for replacement due to Asbestos. Over time they repeatedly send meter readers to read a blank meter that are increasingly aggressive. 2 years ago we write to the CEO and receive no reply. Want a new meter, dont want asshats banging on doors. Last 3 years, it seems that the people Eon send to inspect the meter for safety log the visit as "refused entry".  There is no appointment, if you're not in, in the bath, in the garden you're a meter fiddler despite them already knowing the problem. Phone Eon each time after threatening subsequent letter who say, yes you still on the asbestos list.......

Fast forward to Sept this year and receive a letter saying impending Warrant to break into the house to see meter, something which has not been refused. They've already seen the damn thing many times. Phone Eon, warrant cancelled and visit from jack booted Eon Next squad again with no prior notice. Not allowed in this time due to vulnerable young adult but we take pictures and share for which they are happy. Told that the job of replacement not arduous after all and they will contact us with a 72 hour slot to replace it.

Yesterday received a call from a neighbour that the house is being broken into whilst we're away. It's Eon Next engineer, goon, trainee goon with a locksmith. Drive 2 hours and they're still there, shown warrant and told suck it up. Phone EoN who say that they have no details on a warrant being issued.

We had no idea a warrant was raised again and unlike last time no notice was given

I contact Birmingham magistrates to ask on what basis it was granted and how we could of contested it if we werent aware of it. Told that it was issued under "national guidelines" and for any other details we have to contact Eon as they have nothing other than the actual warrant document itself.

How can a legal document be raised without the right to contest and how can a court not provide details of the basis it was raised against. If its law that these are just auto issued its a scandal.

We have asked (via cit advice) for last 6 years of comms, awaiting this before going further

Your musing appreciated

Cheers

Warrants are not a 2 sided negotiation - they are warrants.  

Edit : Taken out by one party against the other - nominally in a contested scenario - with the legal bias towards the energy provider in case of meter warrants.  And from anecdotal reports in media - some magistrates were reportedly signing those for forced meter conversions to pay as you go off at any rate - without formal review - not sure what the conclusion was in the end.  But that would still only be a check against "facts" from the suppliers application. 

A single failure to allow entry - once registered on their system - is probably all they need to apply in normal situation.

In a faulty meter - no accurate billing scenario - surprised it hasn't been escalated sooner.

Sounds like they did just that - and despite what you were told in Sep - that was not properly cancelled.

And without proof of that conversation - you may struggle - to be compensated.

You cannot go to the Ombudsman direct - either for 8 weeks of no agreed response to a formal complaint (thats not just a whinge to a customer service operator - but a formal - best written (email will suffice) for traceability - complaint - or EOn Next rejecting your complaint - and issuing a so called dead lock letter to that effect.

M25

Get an internet connected video doorbell.

Bigphil1474

I've obtained warrants from magistrates in the past - not for energy issues though. These were mainly night time 'emergency' warrants where we had to visit the on call magistrate. We basically filled a form in, gave them the reason for the warrant, they ask a few questions and away we went. No input from the person on the receiving end. We only did it when necessary but easy to see how they could be exploited if done as batches in court.