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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Pregnant with no gas heating

56 replies

firsttimemummyd · 01/02/2020 10:29

I moved into a new property on Monday 27th January I am 8 months pregnant and have been trying to get EDF to sort the gas prepayment meter that had been left in debt by the previous tennant. They are basically ignoring me!! It took 48 hours to get the electricity sorted.

I only want to be able to use the meter in the short term to get moved in and decorated and then move to a proper supplier and get rid if the prepayment meters.

Can they legally leave me with no heating when 8 months pregnant?

On another note, what us the point of prepayment if you allow people to run up £20 plus worth of debt ???!!! Appalling customer service from this shower

OP posts:

BigRedFlower · 01/02/2020 10:33

Why are you left with no heating- just use the prepayment meter?

They will refund any overpayment when it is sorted out.

TheQueens · 01/02/2020 10:34

£20? Is that all the debt is on the meter? I imagine they have moved out and not turned the heating off and it's gone into debt in the time before you moved in if its only that amount? I would totally begrudge it but to be warm I would probably just pay the debt if its that low and suck it up. Not fair I know though! Legally I have no idea what they can do in regards to leaving you without supply, I'm sure someone will....

CynthiaRothrock · 01/02/2020 10:35

My only advice is keep harassing them. Have you any other form of heating? If there is a key already in property then you can top it up keep the receipts and ask for a refund? Take pics of meter reading and balance on machine before and after. Not ideal but would get you a gas supply then you can argue the refund when you are warm! If there is no key then you can get one from a paypoint/pay zone shop.
But keep calling them, ask for customer complaint dept and contact ofgem.

WorraLiberty · 01/02/2020 10:36

Can they legally leave me with no heating when 8 months pregnant?

You mean with no gas heating? Yes.

But why don't you just top up anyway and sort it afterwards?

RosieLancs · 01/02/2020 10:36

@BigRedFlower Maybe she doesn't have the money to clear the previous tenant's debt and top up her own usage?

OP Basically yes they can, you have electric so is there anyone you can borrow an electric heater from?

cuckooken · 01/02/2020 10:39

They are basically ignoring me!!

Ignoring you how? What do they say when you call them? Nothing?

Apolloanddaphne · 01/02/2020 10:42

They haven't left you without heating. You can get it if you pay the £20 debt. I suppose it depends on your finances but I would just pay it and get the heating on.

iStruggleWithThePast · 01/02/2020 10:42

Just call a new provider, as long as you have your tenancy agreement to show your move in date you can prove the debt isnt yours and your a new tenant,

cuckooken · 01/02/2020 10:43

I suspect the fact that you are only wanting to use it temporarily may be an issue. You either take on the gas account or you don't.

Pilot12 · 01/02/2020 10:44

Surely you just need to call Customer Services and register yourself as a new tenant, give the date you moved in. If they want proof take a photo of your tenancy agreement and email it from your phone. They should be able to sort it out over the phone straight away.

What did they say when you called?

fairynick · 01/02/2020 10:44

I work for an energy supplier and this happens ALL THE TIME. It’s shocking and the customer services can often be useless.
You really need to lay it on thick with customer services, tell them that you’re heavily pregnant so should be on the PSR and then once they clear the debt you will free to switch supplier. I suggest that going forward you switch supplier to one that operates with non disconnect hours so that you’re always with heat at least of an evening if you have ran out of emergency.

fairynick · 01/02/2020 10:45

Also the fact that it’s only £20 should be easy to rectify. The debt won’t be from the previous tenant it’ll probably be from the standing charge built up between them moving out and you moving in.

Pilot12 · 01/02/2020 10:47

If you don't get anywhere with Customer Services ask to be put through to the complaints department and make an official complaint. They have to investigate and resolve your complaint within a certain period of time so they can't ignore you.

PerpendicularVincent · 01/02/2020 10:47

You need to call them and tell them to complete a change of tenancy, moving the debt to an 'Occupier' account in the name of the previous tenant. They'll then need to trace & chase the previous tenant for payment.

They should then set up a new account in your name. You will need to provide an opening read and proof of your move in date.

You also need to advise that you are pregnant and ask to be added to the Priority Services Register - it gives you far more protection.

You then say that if they don't fix this, you'll complain to the Ombudsman - they won't want this because they have to pay the case fee, and if they are seen to be treating vulnerable customers poorly will have to justify this to OFGEM.

PM me if you need any further help, I work for an energy supplier.

WelcomeToShootingStars · 01/02/2020 10:48

Just pay the £20. They will credit it back when it's sorted.

Or stay cold to make a point.

cuckooken · 01/02/2020 10:49

They should then set up a new account in your name.

OP doesn't want to set up a new account. OP wants to use the meter short term and change supplier when she moves in.

Also the pregnancy thing holds no weight and she isn't even living there.

cuckooken · 01/02/2020 10:50

Sorry OP has moved in.

The OP is contradictory. It mentions moving in and 'to get moved in and decorated'

Motherclucker01 · 01/02/2020 10:53

How many people have sent PM’s of money OP?

On another note, if you can’t afford to clear the debt then find an electric heater. If you don’t have friends or family to borrow from there is always very cheap/free ones on local Facebook groups, freecycle, preloved,local ads, EBay.

Mrsemcgregor · 01/02/2020 10:55

Wow, a shocking number of people assume that £20 isn’t a big deal for many people. Do you not pay any attention to the world around you?

PerpendicularVincent · 01/02/2020 10:57

cuck, they set up an account in her name and then she changes supplier. This needs to be fixed before she does as otherwise the transfer won't go through properly, and likely with an incorrect opening read.

The 'pregnancy thing' does hold weight. She needs to call and ask to be added to the register. The OP says she's moved in and she hasn't yet - either way, as the tenant, EDF need to treat her as vulnerable.

MyDcAreMarvel · 01/02/2020 10:58

It’s not just the £20 though the op needs a code/key/card to use the meter.

cuckooken · 01/02/2020 11:00

That was my error. If OP has moved in the that's different. If she hasn't then I can't see why she would be treated as vulnerable.

Tbh I struggle to see why being pregnant makes her vulnerable but apparently that's normal. I never considered updating my energy suppliers when i was pregnant!

LIZS · 01/02/2020 11:00

Should ll/agent not have provided the card etc. Could the £20 debt be from between tenants?

malmi · 01/02/2020 11:01

I'm sure OP can manage £20 if they are planning to decorate. Defer the decorating costs and sort the heating out. Sorted!

iStruggleWithThePast · 01/02/2020 11:03

Tbh I struggle to see why being pregnant makes her vulnerable but apparently that's normal

Really? Your struggling to see how being pregnant might make someone vulnerable? Really?

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