Can the electricity company cut me off in winter if I have children by forcing a prepayment meter I cant afford?

[Johnny121]

Ok I know they cant cut me off in winter if I have children.

 

Can they however forcefully install a meter (via the courts and a lock smith) that I cant afford to use? (effectively cutting me off)

 

Because they wont just instal a normal meter I will have to pay off part of my 4000 pound debt and pay for what I normally use and im on benefits at the moment and in serious financial difficulty/debt and I cant afford to eat let alone pay my bills!

 

The electricity company is E-On they are on the verge of taking the case to court to apply for the rights to force me to install the meter/ to try and disconnect me.

[skintandfat]

They are not cutting you off- it's classed as 'self disconnection' when the prepayment meter cuts the power.

 

I know it stinks but they don't care about people in fuel poverty (if they did the power companies profits would be capped)

[cerberusalert]

Depending on your circumstances you may be able to apply for a grant http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?100405-****Utilities-Trust-Fund****

[BazzaS]

Ok I know they cant cut me off in winter if I have children.

 

Can they however forcefully install a meter (via the courts and a lock smith) that I cant afford to use? (effectively cutting me off)

 

Because they wont just instal a normal meter I will have to pay off part of my 4000 pound debt and pay for what I normally use and im on benefits at the moment and in serious financial difficulty/debt and I cant afford to eat let alone pay my bills!

 

The electricity company is E-On they are on the verge of taking the case to court to apply for the rights to force me to install the meter/ to try and disconnect me.

 

It is a bitter pill to swallow & other posters have (and hopefully will) advise on sources of grants and ways to save on costs.

 

If you accept that you are going to end up on a pre-payment meter then it is a case of "damage limitation".

Can you invite them in to change the meter?

 

I know it is not "what you want", but if it is going to happen anyway, why not avoid the associated costs (court +/- locksmith).

 

I wish there was a way I could say "do this, you won't get a prepayment meter", but if you have a large debt to them, that is at/close to the "warrant" stage, it is likely a "done deal" unless you can dispute the bill as grossly inflated.

 

Have you taken advice (on CAG or elsewhere) about your debts and the best way forward for you?, It is a thread on its own but have you looked at your income and expenditure, claiming back anything you are owed, reducing payments on non-priority debts, and if that still leaves you with a shortfall, what your options are?

[LaughingGirl]

What debts do you have? if you're paying any kind of unsecured debt, hp, payday loans etc you should only be making Token payments of £1 per month - benefit money is the minimum the law says you need to live on, your energy bills should come way ahead of any other payments. at this point, I can't see any way for you to avoid a pre-pay meter, even if you did get a grant.

[Jam_Buttie]

If and when they instakll the pre payment meter, they will set it to take the £4000 back at say £10 per week perhaps. I kn ow a few people who have had this done.

[huggy41]

something not right here maybe the meter reading are wrong i mean £4000 would take 2 or 3 years to make

[LaughingGirl]

I understand if benefits are your sole source of income, the recovery rate is around £5 per week. I agree that £4000 is quite extraordinary -there could well be a problem with readings. is any of this based on estimates? edit: just checked, and it would have taken me 4 years to end up with that bill. what sort of house/heating/insulation do you have? That's an astronomical bill.

Edited November 27, 2012 by LaughingGirl

[Jayney69]

I had a pre-payment meter fitted around 2 years ago (probably at about this time of year), and mine was also to cover the debt, which was around £900 at the time. I told them that I was on benefits etc (disabled child etc), and they set my debt at something like £1 a week. Some suppliers have a special tariff if you're on benefits anyway so it's worth asking.

 

To be absolutely honest I was gutted at having to have the meter, however, looking back I wouldn't change now. Yes, your bills are higher in the winter, but in summer they're practically nothing!

[babydoll0141917]

Im on a prepayed meter and have been for 20 years ..I do love it tho ..Pay as you go is better ..you can keep your eye on what you use..I would dread having a massive quarterly bill com in

[Johnny121]

Nice thanks mate I will try this first!

[Johnny121]

Thanks everyone else at least I know where I stand I will just make damn sure I get a job ASAP.

[LaughingGirl]

I really would double check your bill though...it's not outside the realms of possibility that someone has tampered with your supply. if you've run up that kind of bill in a year something could well be wrong - i've been assured my usage is typical for a three bed semi, and your bill is 4x what mine is annually!

[babydoll0141917]

A friend of mine has a 3 bed semi ..Her quarterly bill was £800..I think people forget how expensive Gas/Elec is ..when you cant keep track ..I only put my heating on after 4pm and leave on till 8pm..Its not on high and I use £40 a wk..So you can see even not abusing it its still expensive ..we would rather put thick jumpers on than give them our money

[cerberusalert]

Blimey, that's still high.

 

I've a three bedroomed, gas central heating is on from 7am til 10am & 6pm til 11pm & I only pay £160 per quarter.

[huggy41]

we have 3bed semi gas and elactric in a year never goes over £1,200

[babydoll0141917]

Blimey, that's still high.

 

I've a three bedroomed, gas central heating is on from 7am til 10am & 6pm til 11pm & I only pay £160 per quarter.

 

Strange ..I use over £10 a wk in the summer and thats just the cooker..and we dont use it much ..work that one out

 

we have salads and BBQs.. I think electric is cheaper than gas..bout just under £20 for me.. Buit I dont use me tumble dryer..but do hoover a lot and boil kettle

[LaughingGirl]

We're £960 a year, new boiler and loft insulation but rubbish wooden single glazing. four grand is a thousand pound a year shy of my annual rent. if they sent me a bill like that i'd be outside n power with a pitchfork and angry mob!

[cerberusalert]

I pay £53 per month x 12. The summer months when the heating isn't used compensates for the winter months & that's using a gas hob, the double oven is electric but rarely used anyway.

[babydoll0141917]

Direct Debit is good..Some old people I know pay £86 a month and can use Gas /Elec all day ..the only thing is they still have to pay that amount in the summer too ..But at least they stay nice and toastie all winter

[LaughingGirl]

Blimey, you must be doing something right! super duper insulation? We've only got our heating on an hour a day more than you!

[cerberusalert]

On top of the roof insulation & D/G after we were flooded in '07 we had the ground floor re-plastered using insulated plasterboard which makes a big difference, I'll do upstairs as well eventually.

 

We can't insulate the walls normally as it's a 'no-fines' build so has to be cladded with insulation either inside or out & at the time it was easier to do it on the inside + the insurance company paid.

[babydoll0141917]

We have great insulation ..It hold the heat for a while but does get chilly ..we have great loft insulation ..all the roof has been insulated and we have cavity wall and double glazing ..Still use alot of Gas tho

[skintandfat]

I have a 5 bedroom (4 bedroom plus study) and am £130 per month for both gas and electric (total)

 

I did alterations to the house a few years ago and took the opportunity to put in extra insualtion- cost £200 and well worth it, paid for the cost in the first few months.

MY gas consumption actually dropped after I did the insulation, even though I had added 50% to the square footage of the house

[*RainbowTears*]

I have a 5 bedroom (4 bedroom plus study) and am £130 per month for both gas and electric (total)

 

I did alterations to the house a few years ago and took the opportunity to put in extra insualtion- cost £200 and well worth it, paid for the cost in the first few months.

MY gas consumption actually dropped after I did the insulation, even though I had added 50% to the square footage of the house

 

I live in 4 bed house, although at mine we have a conservatory that's combined with our dining room/kitchen it gets really cold in there in the mornings!!

 

I put the heating on @ 6am until 9am but come late afternoon you can feel the cold creeping thru. I pay £72 electric & £50 gas on DD & even thou I'm in credit with the gas, I'm still trying to keep our Central heating usage down, as it's a large house but we loose a lot off heat thru the Conservatory!! Wish there was some sort of insulation for them windows.

 

With regards to the OP. I agree with the others as £4000 is a lot indeed. Is this based on Estimate or Actual readings? I would get this checked into ASAP so you can get a more accurate bill if it is Estimated readings.

 

If not, then a pre payment meter is a good idea as you pay for what you use (so no big bills) & you can pay off any outstanding amounts weekly as well.

 

I hope this gets sorted out for you & your family.

 

Regards