Grosvenor Bailiffs/Utility Warehouse Urgent Help Required!!!

[J2012]

Hello everyone

 

I have a serious issue with a outstanding debt of £562.24 from upaid electricity suppied by utility warehouse.

 

I knew nothing of this debt as my partner had hidden the extent of it from me and it wasnt until I checked the mail that I found a letter from Grosvenor Bailif services.

 

My partner has told me that the reason she hasnt been paying the bill is because everytime she has tried to setup a direct debit with utility warehouse they would try and bill her on a different date to the one originally arranged.

 

My partner is now on statutory sick pay since last week after fracturing her pelvis and has been signed off from any for of work for 6 weeks....So this could really not have happened at a worse time!

 

She has called Grosvenor today explaining her position and her need to set up a repayment plan to which the response she recieved was that she would need to pay £200 in order to setup a repayment plan!!

 

Here is the letter we have recieved

 

 

The letter reads

 

"Our records show that we still have not recieved payment of £562.24 for you're electricity bill despite previous letters and a recent visit to your property.

 

If you do not contact us immediately we will apply for a warrant of entry as detailed below in order for us to disconnect your supply.You will incur costs for this action

 

You have the right to attend the application hearing for the warrant of entry.The application will be made at In the Local Justice Area Of North Devon (Exeter) Heavitree Road,Exeter,Ex12ls at 9:30 on 7/11/2012 This right is given under the rights of entry (gas and electricity boards) Act 1954 and complies with article 6 of the human rights act.

 

If we are granted a warrant of entry we will call at your property on the 7/11/2012 The warrant will allow us to enter your property,Even if you are not there,To either disconnect your electricity or install prepayment meter.

 

You have already incurred significant charges based on our debt recovery procedings to date.If we are forced to take the action as mentioned above these costs could reach a total of £360 per supply,If we for any reason are unable to obtain a warrant of entry on the first visit you wilol be charged in full for any further visits.

 

 

 

I am in total despair over this and really angry with her for letting this build up,How should I proceed?

[unclebulgaria67]

Is there any way you can pay the £200 and enter into a repayment arrangement ? If you can get the outstanding bill to £200 or less, you can change to a new energy supplier.

 

Is there any dispute about the total bill outstanding ? Is this based on actual readings ? Check your meters and compare the readings with the bills received.

 

You would be wise to contact them to discuss the way forward. If your financial position requires it, perhaps you should arrange for them to install a prepayment meter. You will then pay a prepayment rate that allows a catch up for the outstanding bill.

[Bazooka Boo]

Utility Warehouse AGAIN!!!! What a dire outfit.

 

Have you been in contact with them?

Have you tried to arrange a repayment plan with them?

[J2012]

Its a really difficult situation to be honest as her sick pay will only be £80 per week and we will struggle to lay our hands on the £200 to set a repayment plan up as she usually brings home £230 per week

 

Im supprised they are allowed by law to say they wont allow a repayment plan unless £200 is paid off the bill

 

We had been planning to move into a house and out of the flat we currently rent and this has really come at a terrible time.

 

She has no issue with the amount that is owing apparently and she says that the amount is what is owed.

[unclebulgaria67]

Its a really difficult situation to be honest as her sick pay will only be £80 per week and we will struggle to lay our hands on the £200 to set a repayment plan up as she usually brings home £230 per week

 

Im supprised they are allowed by law to say they wont allow a repayment plan unless £200 is paid off the bill

 

We had been planning to move into a house and out of the flat we currently rent and this has really come at a terrible time.

 

She has no issue with the amount that is owing apparently and she says that the amount is what is owed.

 

Can these people help ? http://www.ombudsman-services.org/energy.html

 

Perhaps it is worth speaking to the ombudsman to see if there are any rules regarding repayment arrangements that UW have to allow.

[Bazooka Boo]

Have you been in contact with UW about this? And tried to come to an arrangement with them?

[J2012]

Apparently it was UW who demanded the £200 to take on board a repayment plan,My partner emailed Grosvenor debt agency who then called her and passed her over to UW over the telephone.

 

So it was therefore UW who said that it requires £200 to be paid to accept a repayment plan.

 

She has just emailed the ombudsman so we will await their reply with additional advice

[Bazooka Boo]

Well UW are the ones putting up obstacles here then.

 

If they did pursue this through the courts to get this warrant, then I would definitely attend and defend this and let the judge know that you have attempted to enter into a repayment plan but they are putting obstacles in the way, and their demand of £200 to even discuss a repayment plan is seriously deluded.

 

If you can you need to get their refusal to offer a repayment plan in writing, rather than over the phone, in fact everything should be kept in writing.

[J2012]

Thank you so much everyone,She is awaiting a call back from UW tomorrow so I will get get them to put this into writing,I just hope it arrives before the court date

[Bazooka Boo]

All I can advise is to defend it if it does go to court.

[huggy41]

if you can when they do call try and record it even if you have to hold your mobile to the handset. that way if you did have to go to court and they said that you have not attempted to set up a plan you can prove them wrong.

[Surfer01]

Are you sure that they are bailiffs and not a DCA pretending to be a bailiff i.e. DCA dept of Grosvenor?