Meter-plus PPM

[Nottslass]

Hi i am in arrears with Npower for £328 and today i had a meter-plus man come to my door an basically told me i have to have PPM fitted to pay the debt back....I said i had been in touch with the benefits agency as i wanted it to be taken from my IS in fuel direct but he said they wont accept it as i can have prepayment meters fitted....so after him ringing collections i am now having to have these meters fitted in a few weeks....
I really dont want meters fitted (an yes i shouldnt of got in arrears like this) but what would happen if i wasnt in when they came to fit the meters? would they do it anyway or break in my house to fit them?
I am going to ring Npower to see if i can settle the debt by payment plan over 6 months but im worried they will say no an i have to have these meters fitted anyway.

[bluebottle]

Re: Meter-plus PPM

Energy companies can only fit key meters under the following circumstances -

1. At the request of the customer; and
2. Under the ambit of a warrant granted by a magistrates court.

If they force entry to a customer's home without judicial authority and fit a meter against the wishes of the customer, it is likely a court will order the removal of the meter and its replacement with exactly the same type of meter as was installed prior to the unlawful installation. The energy supplier's agents would also trespassing and any damage would have to be paid for by the energy supplier.

Also, NPower cannot just turn up on your doorstep and demand to fit a key meter. You did the right thing telling matey to go away. As for his claim that NPower can install a key meter against your wishes, see above.