Energy Supplier Confusion & Warrant Threat, Advice Needed

[Abukhubzeh]

Hi everyone this is my first post here.

I purchased a flat in England in June 2022 and have had ongoing issues trying to set up an energy account. When I moved in, I attempted to sign up with several suppliers, but none were accepting new customers.

SSE was identified as the supplier, but when I contacted them (primarily via WhatsApp), they kept referring me to other companies, who in turn insisted SSE was still the supplier. SSE eventually confirmed this and asked me to call to set up an account. I provided my details and the updated electricity meter information, but I never heard back.

Since moving in, I have received letters from OVO Energy addressed to previous leaseholders (who never lived here). I returned them as "Not at this address," yet they continued sporadically. Today, I received a letter from Engage Services, acting on behalf of OVO, stating that they have been unable to carry out a safety inspection of the electric and gas meters. They now claim that, due to my "failure to allow the inspection," they intend to " apply to the Court for a warrant to enter your premises as per Section 2 of the Rights of Entry (Gas and Electricity Boards) Act 1954 "

Given that I have never set up an account with OVO and have tried to establish one with SSE, how should I proceed? How do I engage with these field service providers in a way that protects my rights and ensures the correct supplier is recognized?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

[echat11]

Hi AB

Welcome to LB

I would start by sending SSE, OVO etc a Subject Access Request, they have 30 days to respond.

https://legalbeagles.info/library/gu...ccess-request/

You need to lodge a formal complaint with OVO explaining your position, follow their complaints procedure on their website (I know you believe you haven't got an account with them), but you are on their systems at this moment in time.

To stop them proceeding with the 'warrant' etc let them do the 'inspection', you will have to fight this retrospectively, once you get the SAR information.

[Abukhubzeh]

Hi AB

Welcome to LB

I would start by sending SSE, OVO etc a Subject Access Request, they have 30 days to respond.

https://legalbeagles.info/library/gu...ccess-request/

You need to lodge a formal complaint with OVO explaining your position, follow their complaints procedure on their website (I know you believe you haven't got an account with them), but you are on their systems at this moment in time.

To stop them proceeding with the 'warrant' etc let them do the 'inspection', you will have to fight this retrospectively, once you get the SAR information.

Hi there, thank you for replying to my post.

What should I be looking for in the Subject Access Request? Also what would you reccomend I should be basing my complaint around?

Just to add a bit of missing info, Engage Services has put me on a 14 day notice starting from the 11.02.2025, they mention that I could arrange for an "inspection" to take place.

Never recived a card through the letter box to request a meter reading, nor has anyone come to request to do a reading. I have supplied SSE with my electric meter reading during my last call with them. I remember asking wether they supplied gas as well, if I remember correctly they mentioned that my gas was meant to be on a prepayment meter and shouldn't be working if there wasn't any credit. I took pictures of the gas meter readings on a gasbox that had my flat number scribbled on it, but I'm not even sure if it is mine to be honset.


I have noticed that one of the meters around the back of the building that is labeled flat 1 has a pipe that leads to my flat, this meter is an EDMI GS-60B, according to the manufacturer website it is a smart meter, but the battery that supplies it appears to be discharged.

[islandgirl]

I think SSE got taken over by OVO. I have an ongoing dispute with them relating to the transfer. They will want to enter your property to change the meters to card prepayment meters due to the "debt"...

[echat11]

Thanks IslandGirl

OVO has taken over from SSE that is why OVO has been contacting you. The previous occupants probably had an account with SSE which has been taken over by OVO.

What should I be looking for in the Subject Access Request? Also what would you reccomend I should be basing my complaint around?

Work out what you owe OVO since you moved in. It doesn't look like OVO has done anything wrong. Maybe they should have sent around an agent to find out what happened.

Just to add a bit of missing info, Engage Services has put me on a 14 day notice starting from the 11.02.2025, they mention that I could arrange for an "inspection" to take place.

You need 'engage' with Engage Services, this is the sort of situation that can get out of hand quickly.

Never recived a card through the letter box to request a meter reading, nor has anyone come to request to do a reading. I have supplied SSE with my electric meter reading during my last call with them. I remember asking wether they supplied gas as well, if I remember correctly they mentioned that my gas was meant to be on a prepayment meter and shouldn't be working if there wasn't any credit. I took pictures of the gas meter readings on a gasbox that had my flat number scribbled on it, but I'm not even sure if it is mine to be honset.

Your last call to SSE must of been years ago as OVO has been your electricity provider for at least 4 years.

I have noticed that one of the meters around the back of the building that is labeled flat 1 has a pipe that leads to my flat, this meter is an EDMI GS-60B, according to the manufacturer website it is a smart meter, but the battery that supplies it appears to be discharged.

I'm not sure that matters at this time.