Being taking to court for extortionate Gas and Electric bill - please help.

Qyburn

LuisDiaz said:

I thought they would throw it out especially as BG said they had recalled it from the debt agency - proof of this had been included when submitting the defence.

Is thier response (court response) what you would normally expect in such a situation (as mine) ? 

Yes that's the normal response. The court won't decide the rights or wrongs of the case at this stage.  

BarelySentientAI

Qyburn said:

LuisDiaz said:

I thought they would throw it out especially as BG said they had recalled it from the debt agency - proof of this had been included when submitting the defence.

Is thier response (court response) what you would normally expect in such a situation (as mine) ? 

Yes that's the normal response. The court won't decide the rights or wrongs of the case at this stage.  

Exactly - the court sends your defence to BG with a note saying "this is the submitted defence".  They don't read it.

LuisDiaz

Thanks very much everyone, you've been unbelievably helpful during this..what I can only refer to as an ordeal for us. 

Thank you.

Qyburn

Keep us posted. If BG still decide to progress there is still the opportunity for mediation, and the court won't be impressed if BG won't participate.

LuisDiaz

Hi all, I still have had zero response from BG. I have sent a number of emails and more phone calls but keep getting told someone will call me back! What do I do now ?

Robin9

@LuisDiaz As we have said before you doing yourself no favours in ringing BG -  you will not get to talk to anyone who can help you and calls will not be returned.  

You do nothing now but wait.      It will seem like an eternity but wait for BG. 

Scot_39

Re Past / present

It sounds horrible when in your situation - but wait I am afraid.

I dont know - if they might take a call from a debt service or Citizens advice a bit more seriously (did you consult anyone before responding to court ) - if not thats going to put a delay in at your end anyway - to get that help.

At least BG arent refusing to discuss it - some older debts are sold on at some suppliers - and they consider it out of their control - so wont - at least at a normal CS level - be willing or even allowed to discuss.

In general though

Standard complaints can take weeks I am afraid - months even - hence the 8 week limit for suppliers own team to respond before you can go to Ombudsman - and they again can take time to respond.

And that 8 week point - the ability to go to Ombusdman - is actually your next major leverage point.  But it is a one off shot - once submitted - it will run it's course.  So you need to be prepared to present a realistic and factual approach.

The extorniate bill from the title - "was only because you hadn't been paying at all for 9 months - and even once you started - you have been paying £100 too little" - might well be the picture painted by BG to them - they have their say too. They don't have powers to magically wipe out debts - only to see that the bills are fair and within all the rules.  And maybe to award a small compensation for errors.

Court

As bove that's entirely under BW for BG control

They need to cancel formally (via BW ?) direct with court (or at least default to that position - by having it stayed - by not proceeding within their 28 days notice.) - I'd like to say take them at their word on that - but again - keep yours eyes opened for any further correspondence on it.

Re Future

Remember the core problem hasn't really gone away - 8-9 months unpaid - and 6-7 months of missing DD credit to your actual account.  Which your actual usage says was too low anyway - by £100-£150 iirc. (£270 usage Feb-Aug say vs £175 DD paid since Jan 2024)

Essentially - you might argue should have been paying c£270 for actual usage since May 23 based on Feb to Aug 24 - thats 14-15 months * £270 - you paid just c£1000.

You said BG have already given you a revised figure - at least verbally - if not issued a bill.

 

So in the meantime - have you thought about how you might or (more importantly if ) might not be able to pay - for the revised balance - cope / proceed - once the £1000 missing DDs fixed.

And if going to struggle - again seek help - to decide on a fair offer - as an initial opening gambit.

Historically you were paying £391 DD up until May 2023 - that had been increased - perhaps to cover past debt - from much lower numbers. £391 pm - it's quite a large amount not to have had an impact on your overall finances / and account savings balance - over £3000 in 8 or 9 months - although I realise you were not in the best place to keep track.  

And if could afford it then - iirc you changed roles rather than redundancy - you might still be in the financial position - where you may be expected to make a similar total payment now - rather then the £175.

Even if all debt written off by some miracle - and it would be a miracle IMO - you still need to be closer to the £270 figure.  Rates are only marginally lower this winter - say 5% or so - so far - based on Oct to Oct caps.

And in reality IMO - when those debts - as per BG revised recent balance figure - or the majority of them - stand to be paid - the monthly payment - not only ideally needs to cover actual realistic amount for current usage - but also  sizeable payment towards 14m of accumulated debt.

I wouldn't be sitting thinking the last 14m of accumulated debt - and the current payment rate shortfall is going to magically go away.  

You were paying upto £391 for a reason - although based on estimated readings - so not a good basis - you were accumulating credit - but your a large household in a large house - using a lot of energy.

Because the first bill is likely to be a still uncomfortably large number.

So if likely to struggle - if you werent saving £100s pm - even if not the full old £391pm DD  - to cover a future bill when it comes - I'd be starting to seek agency help now.

Before any future negotiations with BG re revised payments - begin.  

 

LuisDiaz

hello, I just wanted to share some updates.
A written complaint was sent to BG back in October '24. There was a acknowledgment sent but no further updates. Several more calls were made but was simply told ''its with complaints team''. No further updates. Another written letter has been sent.  Unfortunately, in between that period, the debt collection agency have sent another threatening letter - despite confirmation from BG who informed me they had sent a ''stop'' instruction to the agency. I can not afford to get a solicitor ... but should I borrow some money to get this sort of help ? Is getting Ofgem involved a route that could help ? What options do I have now ? I have no idea why such a big org like BG are behaving like this.

QrizB

Have you heard anything from the court since September? There was a 28 day deadline, that must've passed by now?

Robin9

LuisDiaz said:

/.......................................................  Unfortunately, in between that period, the debt collection agency have sent another threatening letter - despite confirmation from BG who informed me they had sent a ''stop'' instruction to the agency......................

Have you this in writing from BG?  If so keep it available and also send a copy to the debt collection.



In between Sept and now have you had any bills ? Do they have Estimated or Actual Readings ? Have you given them any readings?  Have you paid any DD's?