But debt collectors can get a right of entry warrant? So they must pass the warrant on to bailiffs to carry it out I take it? Also, I can’t get my head round the legislation on this – it sounds like they can enter your home when you’re not even in, is that right?! That’s horrifying! With regards to the faulty electric meter, do I tell them about this now or wait until they deal with the debt matter? I’m a bit wary of smart meters but not against them of course, whatever makes life easier really! So would probably swap the old one for a smart one. Thank you

It does say “could” apply for an warrant of entry.. but when I first read it, I just freaked out and thought they’ll definitely do it because the debt is for a large amount. Plus there’s some scary stories online! Although I feel better from the info and moral support you’ve provided, I haven’t got the brainpower to see how much of the debt amount is outside 12 months but I will check now I have some clarity. When would the 12 months start from or go back to though? I could pay what I do owe for this period which would also hopefully put the debt collection off. It’s all estimated usage as well. I will email collections with what you say. They also sent the debt to the debt collectors before 30 days were up from 11th Feb 2021 (the date of their letter) so the debt should have been sent to them on or after 13th March 2021. Yes, the electric meter is stuffed! The gas meter is fine - their estimated reading for this is just under the actual reading. Yes, the £6k debt is for both gas and electric combined. This is domestic usage.

Thank you for a quick reply. Sorry made a tiny mistake with the date. Definitely no bills 8th August 2013 to 3rd August 2020. 4th August 2020, they issue a bill for the above period which I have only seen recently due to the letters prompting me to look at my online account. So they have one month to reply to SAR. During this time, what about the debt collection agency and the whole warrant thing? Can I write to someone at Ovo to stop this with immediate effect because I doubt my SAR will prompt them to do this automatically? Thank you

Hello, I am nervous as this is my first post but I am also very stressed as the situation is out of control and I am despairing. Ovo are my gas and electricity supplier since 2010. I had a DD set up with them at £198 a month. In March 2016, I cancelled the DD without telling them which I know I shouldn’t have done but I did this because it was becoming difficult to keep paying and my Ovo account was in credit of around £1500. Sounds and is weird and bad but I didn’t give it a second thought. I didn’t hear anything from them, no bills via email or post and then out of the blue I receive a letter in the post dated 29.01.2021 stating they’re writing to me “again” about my debt of £6626.56. I emailed collections and offered £100 a month as this is all I can afford at the moment and they responded saying I need to call them to discuss the matter. I was too anxious to call them and found it all too overwhelming. Then I received a “Final Reminder - Notice of Default” letter dated 11.02.2021 which said if they don’t hear from me within 30 days , they’ll share my data with CRAs or get a court order for the debt. I have been burying my head in the sand but have been researching what to do. What I found is that there’s a backbilling rule. However, I am not sure it applies to my situation as although I can see from my online account that, Ovo haven’t issued me any bills from 8th August 2013 to 4th August 2020, I cancelled the DD. Although they haven’t mentioned this. In addition, I haven’t given meter readings and have just noticed that the electricity meter isn’t clocking. I recall someone coming to do meter readings a couple of times during this period though. This morning I received a letter dated 08.03.2021, stating they’ve passed my details to a debt collection agency who could apply for a ‘right of entry warrant’. It's a mess and so am I. Please if anyone can help and let me know what I can do in this instance as I do not want a prepayment meter or to have further costs added which is what Ovo say will happen. Thank you