Hi All,
Posting this as it may help some of you advise some of your customers..
PREPAYMENT ENERGY METERS, ARE YOU DUE COMPENSATION?
Energy suppliers were told by Ofgem last week to pay compensation to customers wrongly forced to have prepayment meters.
To get a warrant to force fit prepayment meters, energy companies swear an oath that they have complied with their supply licence. This licence says that they must not seek a warrant to enter the homes of vulnerable people.
People who count as vulnerable include those who have a physical or mental health condition which makes it hard to use a prepayment meter. This could include problems with reaching the meter, reading the meter, adding credit or getting to a shop where they can buy credit.
People who have an illness that affects their breathing or which is made worse by being cold will also be classed as vulnerable, as will people who rely on medical equipment that needs electricity such as a stairlift or dialysis machine.
Nor can they use warrants on people who would find the experience very traumatic.
Magistrates now believe that energy companies have simply chosen not to check whether customers were vulnerable before applying for a warrant.
As a result there is a temporary ban on applying for warrants and people who have been a victim of sharp practices may be eligible for compensation.
We’ve already heard from one disabled member with severe anxiety who was visited by ‘two big men’ with a court order. They threatened to break in unless she allowed them access to fit a prepayment meter.
This might help someone..
john..
Posting this as it may help some of you advise some of your customers..
PREPAYMENT ENERGY METERS, ARE YOU DUE COMPENSATION?
Energy suppliers were told by Ofgem last week to pay compensation to customers wrongly forced to have prepayment meters.
To get a warrant to force fit prepayment meters, energy companies swear an oath that they have complied with their supply licence. This licence says that they must not seek a warrant to enter the homes of vulnerable people.
People who count as vulnerable include those who have a physical or mental health condition which makes it hard to use a prepayment meter. This could include problems with reaching the meter, reading the meter, adding credit or getting to a shop where they can buy credit.
People who have an illness that affects their breathing or which is made worse by being cold will also be classed as vulnerable, as will people who rely on medical equipment that needs electricity such as a stairlift or dialysis machine.
Nor can they use warrants on people who would find the experience very traumatic.
Magistrates now believe that energy companies have simply chosen not to check whether customers were vulnerable before applying for a warrant.
As a result there is a temporary ban on applying for warrants and people who have been a victim of sharp practices may be eligible for compensation.
We’ve already heard from one disabled member with severe anxiety who was visited by ‘two big men’ with a court order. They threatened to break in unless she allowed them access to fit a prepayment meter.
This might help someone..
john..
