@edfenergycs EDF fitted Prepayment Meter under unknown warrant whilst out - Feeling violated

[chocoloco]

Hello all,

 

I had a debt with EDF which I have been struggling to pay,

they did inform me that they were applying for a warrant to change the meter but heard nothing since until

 

I came home today to discover they have been in my house whilst I was out and changed it.

 

Surely they are supposed to tell me when they are coming so that I can choose to be there or not?

 

I feel sick thinking they could have been looking through my things etc.

 

Also my 15 year old daughter is often home alone and doesnt answer the door if shes on her own

unless she knows who it is, so if they just let themselves in and

she had happened to be home she would have been absolutely petrified.

 

Are they really allowed to do this?

 

I get disability benefits and they were told when I moved in that I am registered disabled

Edited May 14, 2015 by chocoloco

[Conniff]

Violation comes nowhere near it, this is second only to rape and is absolutely disgusting.

 

 

First off I would write and request a copy of the warrant and, more importantly, the application so you can see exactly what they asked the magistrate and the reason for entry.

Read it word for word and if possible paste it up here for us all to see, (minus any identifying marks or names).

 

 

It could be that they are intimating that there is some safety aspect to the request and that would be lies.

 

 

There was change to legislation during the last parliament and it included protection of property from disproportionate enforcement action, nothing is more disproportionate than forcing entry to change a meter.

 

 

As far as I remember, you are supposed to get two days notice.

 

 

I'm going to dig further into this and see what I can come up with.

Edited May 15, 2015 by Conniff

[Conniff]

".... a warrant “should only be sought as a last resort and should not be employed where other less draconian powers can achieve the relevant objective..."

 

 

So what previous communication have you had from EDF with reference to missed payments and the alternatives of paying ?

[chocoloco]

I had final bills etc. and was told they were going to court but then heard nothing at all until yesterday. I have both physical problems and mental problems caused by several illnesses etc. and I fully accept that it is my fault, I get very phone phobic and bury my head in the sand, I dont really have a problem with the meter, it will help me get the debt cleared, I have the problem with the way it was done. I am a single mum of 2 and last night my 9 year old was repeatedly waking up worried that someone had let themselves in while we are asleep. I rang EDF this morning who said that they dont have to let me know when they are coming because of the security risk to their staff. They also said that a representative would have called a few days ago and if I wasnt home that they would have left their card for me to contact them but they didnt. I've checked my hall in case the card / envelope got under something else.

[Conniff]

Ok, so you brought the situation on yourself, but forced entry while you are there or not is a no no and an abuse of their power. You can bet they have added the cost of the warrant onto you debt.

 

 

I would like to know the reason for the application, there is no way it could have just said "to change the meter".

[chocoloco]

Ok, so you brought the situation on yourself, but forced entry while you are there or not is a no no and an abuse of their power. You can bet they have added the cost of the warrant onto you debt.

 

 

I would like to know the reason for the application, there is no way it could have just said "to change the meter".

 

I did ask this morning aren't they supposed to have left me a copy of the warrant and she said no. Yes my debt has gone up by about £200 I think. I will ask for a copy, thank you.

[Conniff]

The cost of a warrant in the county court is over £200 but more like £20 in a magistrates court, (if I'm mistaken one of the legal Site Team will put me right), so I think you need to apply to the court for a copy of the warrant and send EDF an SAR and get back all they have on you.

 

 

Ok, this wont change your circumstances, but I think we can push this forward to stop others having to pay for something they never agreed to, ie locksmith, or never refused.

[chocoloco]

The cost of a warrant in the county court is over £200 but more like £20 in a magistrates court, (if I'm mistaken one of the legal Site Team will put me right), so I think you need to apply to the court for a copy of the warrant and send EDF an SAR and get back all they have on you.

 

Thank you I will.

[Conniff]

Just had some confirmation of costs:

 

 

county court

 

Warrant of execution - £100

Writ of fi fa - £60

 

Magistrates

 

9 Warrants

9.1 On an application for a warrant of entry. £20

9.2 On an application for any other warrant where no other fee is specified. £75

 

 

So check that against how much they have added to your bill.