Grosvenor Legal Services Limited

[Isiris]

I have received the following letter from Grosvenor regarding a bill from Scottish Power that I just basically forgot to pay. I could pay it in a flash but the letter I received really really got my back up so I am going to play these sods along.

THE OCCUPIER (Dont think thats in OFT Guidance)
My Address


Re scottish Power ^Y&^(*&* Sum of £***.**

We have been instructed by Scottish Power to collect the sum of £***.** in relation to this account.

A BAILIFF WILL VISIT YOUR PROPERTY WITHIN THE NEXT FEW DAYS TO COLLECT THE OUTSTANDING SUM OR TO MAKE ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE DISCONNECTION OF YOUR SUPLLY. OUR CLIENT MAY ADD ADDITIONAL CHARGES TO YOUR ACCOUNT FOR THIS ACTION.
FOLLOW THIS,YOUR ACCOUNT WILL BE PASSED TO SOLICITORS TO RECOVER THE OUTSTANDING DEBT. IF LITIGATION IS NECESSARY,YOU WILL INCUR COURT EXPENSES AND JUDICIAL INTEREST. ANY JUDGEMENT OR DECREE AGAINST YOU MAY AFFECT YOUR CREDIT RATING

TO AVOID THIS ACTION YOU MUST CONTACT US NOW.

CALL 0845 602 20 90 AND SELECT OPTION 1

An up to date reading should be provided with this call.






Now like I said, I could pay this tomorrow but I do not like the tone of the Letter.

A. Addressed to the occupier
B. The letter is headed, Grosvenor Legal Services Ltd, BAILIFFS
C. The font and Bold used above is exactly how the letter appears.
D. They will send bailiffs but there hasnt even been a LBA received.

Any thought on having some fun with these lot

[demon_x_slash]

A. Addressed to the Occupier - breach of Data Protection Act. Anyone in the house could have opened it and seen that you were in debt. Breach of OFT guidelines too.

B. Bailiffs can only be brought in after a court order/adverse judgement. 'Til then, they're debt collectors

C. Hmm, notice designed to be intimidating? OFT again.

And, er, as far as I was aware, they're not simply allowed to disconnect you any more. Someone else will be more clued up on this, and I may be thinking of when there are children under five involved, but it's worth checking out as something to throw at them.

[tiglet]

Oh, they have been naughty children, haven't they? Phone energywatch and the OFT as tehy are breaking every guideline under the sun here.

[repoman]

Not saying whether they are right or wrong here, but if Scottish Power are currently supplying, and the new occupier has not advised the power supplier of their new occupancy, why should the supplier not take action. Now most suppliers do not disconnect residential supplies, but they will put in a pre-payment meter. There are certain procedures set down in law in order to gain entry and these should be followed (before I upset Tiglet). The bailiff thing is naughty though. I believe Grosvenor do have bailiffs but they are debt collectors in the intial stages of this kind of work and acting as a warrant officer if they get a warrant.

[tiglet]

Not upset at all repoman x I wouldn't actually like to comment on the rights or wrongs of the situation, but although the letter is addressed to the occupier, this does not necessarily mean they are a new customer.

I think the important thing is the breach of the guidelines. I would certainly report it to the OFT as they appear to be misrepresenting themselves. And if the money is owed, and you can afford it, yes, of course you should pay your bill - but still report the breaches.

[repoman]

Thanks Tiglet. The point I was trying to make (but it's been a long day) is that it is important if new occupiers are there that they are aware of any possible warrant action. The best way I feel to do this is to leave the letter of intent addressed to the person and possible the occupier, i.e. Ms Tiglet OR the occupier, or even better if there's no response to the debt letter addressed to the customer to ensure that when the Human Rights Letter goes out advising of the court date to send one to the customer and one to the occupier.

In the meantime perhaps ask to see their complaints procedure. Anyone with a CCL should have one written down under the new regime!!

Repoman

[Isiris]

Repo

While I understande where you are coming from with regards the intention to inform the new occupier of possible court action, they have never mentioned that. If the letter gave the option that, if you are new to the home or something similar, I would agree, but this letter is devised to cause intimidation

[Herbie]

The wording on this letter is most definetly against the guidelines of the Office of Fair Trading. This company provide services to disconnect your supply.

My understanding is that a letter must be sent to you to give you warning that the power will be disconnected and for the opportunity of having a key meter installed.

I would be tempted to write to the OFT and copy the company on the letter also.

Water companies are not allowed to disconnect you....they instead will issue a County Court Summons etc to recover the outstanding debt.....but the water supply MUST remain.

[repoman]

Isiris - that is a fair point.

What should happen once the supplier's billing cycle comes to the point where they either send their own field rep or instruct an external agency is that they write giving a date when they will call. If the call is made a Letter of Intent is left advising that the next stage may be to apply to the court for a warrant of entry. If a court application is to be made the householder should get at least fourteen days notice of this. An application is then made to the court for the warrant and if granted entry can be forced and the supply disconnected. Generally electricity supplies in domestic properties are not disconnected but a key/card meter fitted. If no-one is in and the gas board enter then generally the supply will be disconnected.

Now, there are lots of ways in which the companies do not follow the letter of the law, in particular with regard to the dates specified for the initial visit. Just be really careful. Involve the OFT etc, I am not saying don't. I suppose every company has their own letter. I've not seen a Grosvenor one, but I'm in court tomorrow so if their local rep is there I may try to sneak a peek!!!

I'll let you know how I get on!

RM

[Isiris]

Hmm, these people really have bitten off more than they can chew.

I agreed with Scott Power to pay 25% of the bill in one go and then pay £144 a month to bring the balance down and a monthly repayment scheme. This was agreed with SP and a letter to confirm received.

I have now received a letter saying

Notice of hearing to apply for a warrant of entry for Scottish Power reagarding your unpaid Dual Fuel Bill SP****&*&(**&*&*

Now I am not in arrears, missed no payment since the arrangement and obviously all payments are up to date.

They have given be a court date and time (Is this a summons ??) as it is in a magistrates court.

I really really want to go to court and stand infront of the magistrates and make these muppets look the idiots they are.

They even say the have visited my home. We have received no card and I work at home so that is just Bull.

Am I able to apply to the courts for details of their claim before the hearing? Will I receive an official court summons or are they the definative authority on this?

I want to write to them and ask for whatever evidence they will rely on in court but unsure how.

[itsamomentintime]

let them take you to court. i would love to see their faces when you tell them that the account is now in order

[Ms Fi]

I'm having grief from these people as well - they're telling me they're going to get a warrant on August 30th then install a prepayment meter (and charge me £200 for the priviledge) if I don't clear my account with Scottish Power.

I paid 25% of the outstanding balance in June and was supposed to call them at the beginning of July to find out how much the monthly payments would be but I forgot - all previous correspondance had been via email. I set up a weekly s/o for Scottish Power which has been going through without any problems for about 6 weeks now - Scottish Power haven't been in touch to say it's not acceptable or anything so I assumed everything was ok.

Grosvenor are now telling me that I've missed the opportunity to make an arrangement and that I now have to pay the whole lot or have a meter installed - which I can't as it's a breach of my tenancy agreement and that's all my landlord needs to evict me!

I can possibly raise the balance to pay off the debt but as I'm on income support and a full time student it won't be easy. They're not pleasant people to deal with and the 7 or 8 phonecalls a day to my home and mobile numbers are driving me nuts!

[Isiris]

Ms Fi

Research Fuel Pay or something similar. (Fuel Direct or Fuel Aid)

If you are on benefits the money comes straight out of them without the need of a prepayment meter

[Isiris]

Thought I would ring them for a giggle. Nearly pee peed myself

1. They have visited my property twice.
2. They could not get a reading because the meters are internall.


Hmm, no they are not. They are outside the premises next to the only door which is accessable from the outside. The door is even broken so even if they didnt have the yellow key, they would still be able to open the bloody thing

Liar liar pants on fire

[PizzaMaker]

Originally Posted by Isiris

Thought I would ring them for a giggle. Nearly pee peed myself

1. They have visited my property twice.
2. They could not get a reading because the meters are internall.


Hmm, no they are not. They are outside the premises next to the only door which is accessable from the outside. The door is even broken so even if they didnt have the yellow key, they would still be able to open the bloody thing

Liar liar pants on fire

Its all very well that it seems they have never visited your property but what about your credcit rating?

[Isiris]

Right

I am in court shortly and have in my possesion a letter from scottish power that all is a ok with my account. They are happy with the payments I am making and as far as they are concerned all is well.

I have told GLS this but had no written confirmation for me not to attend so will go as is.

Can I claim costs for all of this in court. On their letter they are claiming costs form me for the hearing.

It will cost be half a days pay about 60-70GBP. Petrol (22.6 miles at 45p a mile allowed 10.17) parking 5GBP for a morning plus about 2 hours of research.

Is there any way or method I have of reclaiming this thorugh the courts. DO I need to advise the bailiffs the day before of my costs.

Many Thanks

[Isiris]

Anyone please ?