Thread: Gordy321 v Scottish Power/Grosvenor Legal Services

Hi All

I am currently in dispute with Scottish Power and according to their last bill (02/02/10), currently owe them in excess of 2509.44.

A summary
My recollection of moving to SP is that their first bill showed a starting reading of zero which I immediately queried having transferred from Powergen and having a starting balance from the house builder.

We then got into arrears, having still not fully rectified the initial bill.

We accepted, as the only option left open to us, the installation of a prepayment meter. The scheduled installation date was 15/02/2008.

Our arrears have grown for a number of reasons until it got to 2509.44 (02/02.2010) and we accepted, again as the only option, the installation of the prepayment meter. This one was scheduled for the 08/01/2010.

Having failed to complete either intallation I raised the issue with SP and got a response from Grosvenor Legal Services (below).


[FONT='Verdana', 'sans-serif']I have spoken o Scottish Power and they have requested that we apply to the local court to obtain a Warrant to authorise access to your meter to disconnect the supply. As your account is currently at this stage, Scottish Power is unwilling to enter into an arrangement to repay the arrears via instalments. [/FONT]
[FONT='Verdana', 'sans-serif'][/FONT]
[FONT='Verdana', 'sans-serif']To avoid this action, the full outstanding balanceshould be paid before the 12th February 2010, this gives the payment time to clear on the account before the warrant date on the 16th February 2010.Alternatively, if someone can be present on the warrant date we can install pay as you go meters. Failure to pay the balance in full or allow access to your property to fit the pay as you go meter could result in the disconnection of your supply. [/FONT]
[FONT='Verdana', 'sans-serif'][/FONT]
This is where we are today.

I have accepted the need for the prepayment meter as SP will not and have not considered other options. They have failed on two occasions to install the meter although I have the letters confirming install dates. I accept that I am liable to pay for my electricity. I accept that I have not maintained a proper payment regime. I don't feel that SP have treated us correctly and that had they intalled the PPM on 15/02/2008 as agreed we would not be in the current position.

What's next?

I will respond to Grosvenor's email.

Does the fact that SP are not talking to me and are communicating through Grosvenor, mean that their complaints procedure is somehow legitimately bypassed or do I need to escalate it with them again?

Can I request copies of my account transactions and interventions as you can for bank charges?

Are there any precedents where utility company charges have been or are in the process of being challenged?

I would appreciate any advice that anyone feels able to give in respect of the above. I know I should have been more on top of this but have been working away from home for 2 years!!!

Thanks:-|

Scottish Power do not do meter work, they have to sub it out. These things are often admin errors between the two companies and you the customer inherit more grief. If you have a PPM date and no-one turns up then you need to ring and query this within 24 hours.

When your meter is finally installed tell them you are on benefits and you will be only required to pay back £5 pw on your debt.

Hi Gordy321

Sorry to hear about your situation. If you have issues regarding your billing that you would like answered then send this request to ScottishPower. We are still your supplier and therefore only we can answer billing queries. From what you have posted, it would appear that we were unable to agree a suitable payment plan with you and that the outstanding balance on the account was passed to Grosvenor to recover.

A prepayment meter will allow you to repay the balance over a much longer period of time than a direct debit payment scheme.

You mention that the original job to install the prepayment meter was in 15/02/08. What happened with this visit? Did the engineer turn up? Could he gain access to the property? Was a further visit arranged?

It will certainly be possible for us to confirm to you exactly what meter readings we have used to bill your account and also what payments have been made.

Let me know if you have any questions or if you want me to investigate this for you and I will be more than happy to help.

Kind Regards

Colin @ ScottishPower