Utility Warehouse applying for warrant

[thescribe]

Hi all, I'm hoping someone with knowledge can help.

 

UH are applying for a warrant to enter and fit a prepayment meter. The amount I owe is 349.65. This includes £200 security deposit.

 

Ive got a bit behind but will be able to pay the actual 149.65 I owe next week. They are saying they wont accept that and will pursue the applucation on the basis that I still owe them 200.00.

 

Can they do this? They were the supplier when i moved in and i told them I'd be happy to pay by dd but they wouldn't accept. Legally, is this 200 even a debt??

 

Thank you!

[Good Sister]

Hello thescribe and welcome to CAG.

 

First question, do you agree with the debt? You're happy that that is based on actual meter readings and not estimated readings? How long has this debt been building up for?

 

Secondly, please can you define what you mean by a 'security deposit'? I know that utility firms like to have some money coming their way before you get your first bill (e.g. through direct debit), but the phrase 'security deposit' sounds a bit odd.

 

How does this 'security deposit' normally show up on your bills?

If they intend to use it to go towards your energy usage,

I would think it would show up as a credit.

 

 

If it's some sort of deposit that you will get back after the end of your contract (like you would for renting a property),

it would be seperated from your actual debt, though quite why a utility firm would do something like this,

I'm not too sure (maybe another Cagger will know more).

 

I think that if you agree to a payment plan, UW have to hold off any debt collection action unless you break the agreement, but I think the key thing is how this security deposit is actually used.

[ericsbrother]

find out what court and when they are going for this entry warrant is and object to it.

 

 

let them know you will be turning up in person to object and the chances are they wont want to go through with it.

 

 

Agree about what the deposit is all about, BT used to try that one when I lived in brixton but they got an earwigging for it when it become known that it was a blanket demand rather than based upon an individuals trck record.

 

 

If you can pay off the due balance then do so.

do it via your bank or online banking and they cant return it without breaking the law when it comes to then giving evidence to a court.

 

Then change energy supplier, they cnat refuse that.

Octopus are pretty good if they deal with your area.

[thescribe]

Hi all,

 

I have been taken to court by the utility warehouse for gas and electricity and it is being dealt with by Grosvenor Legal Services (Bailiffs).

 

The breakdown of the debt they are chasing is:

 

Gas/elect: £150

Deposit: £200

 

I understand that they can chase for the money outstanding for the actual usage, but can they claim for the deposit of £200?

 

This is the deposit they asked for when I moved into the property and I have never agreed to pay. Surely it's not an actual 'debt' thus not subject to any recovery action??

 

Help please!

[dx100uk]

old and new thread merged for full history

 

 

dx

[thescribe]

old and new thread merged for full history

 

 

dx

 

Thanks dx, I'd forgotten I'd posted about this!

[thescribe]

Circumstances now are that I contacted them and told them I would pay on the 29th of this month. They agreed but said they would go ahead with the court action in any case and have the warrant in hand then if I failed to pay.

 

I intend to pay on the 29th but I need to know;

 

1. Do I have to pay the full amount of the claim? As I said it's £150 for usage and another £200 for a security deposit

 

2. Do I need to pay up to the current date, or do I just need to pay the sum outstanding on their initial claim?

 

3. Is there anywhere I can check to find out if they actually went ahead and got the warrant?

 

Thank you soooo much!

[dx100uk]

so they got a CCJ against you too...hence the bailiffs?

[thescribe]

so they got a CCJ against you too...hence the bailiffs?

 

No I don't think so,

they applied for a warrant of entry under the Gas and Electricity Boards Act 1954 to fit a pre-payment meter.

 

 

The problem is that there is a clause in my rental contract that I can't have one.

 

 

I'm happy to pay the arrears but I don't think it can be legal to get a warrant based on £350 of arrears when in fact the arrears are only £150?

[dx100uk]

so they have the warrant?

 

 

you didn't contest it?

 

 

as for the £200

this sounds pretty std for UW

 

 

get your LL to contact UW directly.

[thescribe]

It is pretty standard for them, agreed. However, it is not a debt so should not form the basis of a claim I would have thought.

 

I have contacted the bailiffs today and they are refusing to let me have a copy of the warrant that was granted.