Can they force me to have prepaidmeters?

aaroncaz

Ok, I owe E.on, £338, for gas and electric, have missed some payments, but rang them today, offered £19 a week, the woman on phone said they want £27 a week, this would be a big struggle! And if i don't pay that, i would have to have prepaid meters installed! Now i am worried abt this, 2 years ago, when i moved in here, had a gas prepaid meter, and that cost between £17 and £22 a week!:eek: And I used to sit here, when my son was at school, without the heating on, to save money! Now that's without an electric meter, plus paying of £5 week towards the debt! Now this time last year, I was paying, every week, yet still owed over £300(long story, their mess up) but they accepted £20 a week then, for both gas and electric and debt! The womans excuse on phone, was prices have gone up, and do i expect to get it for free:mad: Sorry to be longwinded, just need some advice!

Cardew

Yes they can force you to have pre-paid meters; or cut you off. Plenty of posts about this on MSE.

You really are better trying to reach a settlement to pay off your debt as otherwise they will set your pre-pay meters to recover the debt at the rate they want anyway.

aaroncaz

Cardew wrote: »

Yes they can force you to have pre-paid meters; or cut you off. Plenty of posts about this on MSE.

You really are better trying to reach a settlement to pay off your debt as otherwise they will set your pre-pay meters to recover the debt at the rate they want anyway.

Would they still cut you off, even if you have a child?

sinizterguy

aaroncaz wrote: »

Would they still cut you off, even if you have a child?

Why not ?

I am sure they will give you a little more lee-way than someone without a child. But how much do you expect them to do?

aaroncaz

sinizterguy wrote: »

Why not ?

I am sure they will give you a little more lee-way than someone without a child. But how much do you expect them to do?

Well, I don't expect them to let me off paying, if that's what you mean!

And as I was paying £20 a week, this time last year, for the same amount, I don't see why they can't be as reasonble now!

ulcer

yes...they did it to me (scottish power) they went to court to get a warrant to get entry if I was out to install a meter to get back the money...i was a single mum of 2

aaroncaz

ulcer wrote: »

yes...they did it to me (scottish power) they went to court to get a warrant to get entry if I was out to install a meter to get back the money...i was a single mum of 2

Thank you, Can I ask, how you find the meters, are you paying more?

ulcer

lol.....see my thread 'scottish power online'

I was paying anywhere between £70 - £25 a week, I was supposed to be paying back £10 a week but that didn't come off so now I owe them about £1500 or so they reckon

aaroncaz

ulcer wrote: »

lol.....see my thread 'scottish power online'

I was paying anywhere between £70 - £25 a week, I was supposed to be paying back £10 a week but that didn't come off so now I owe them about £1500 or so they reckon

Good god!!:eek: I'm going to have to try to see if they will accept £25 a week!

cajef

aaroncaz wrote: »

And as I was paying £20 a week, this time last year, for the same amount, I don't see why they can't be as reasonble now!

As the lady on the phone has said fuel prices have gone up since this time last year. If £20 is not enough to cover the costs of your usage and help to pay off the debt how do you think they are going to recover what you owe them.

They have offered you a choice of paying £27 or having a pre-payment meter, you can try to negotiate a lower payment but it is doubtful they will accept anything lower.

aaroncaz

ulcer wrote: »

lol.....see my thread 'scottish power online'

I was paying anywhere between £70 - £25 a week, I was supposed to be paying back £10 a week but that didn't come off so now I owe them about £1500 or so they reckon

Just had a quick look, terrible! I had a lot of trouble the 1st year, i was with E.on, they kept saying my electric meter, was a prepayment, it wasn't:mad: for first year, paid all bill,s then was paying £20 a week, then last Jan, got a bill for £357-ish, they said they had underestimated! Could never make head or tail of it, so really have always been in debt with them, even though i was religiously trying not too!