What to do if you fall behind on bills.

Friday, 20 April 2012 9:36 AM

More households are falling into energy debt according to research from Consumer Focus.

Four in every ten people had higher energy bills for winter despite the mild conditions as price cuts came into effect too late to save household’s money.

January saw annual energy bills about £180 higher than the prior year leaving many households unable to pay.

Consumer Focus and Citizens Advice have put together the steps to take if you get behind on bills.

1. Contact your energy firm immediately as they have a responsibility to help you. Debts will build-up and be harder to pay off the longer you leave them.

2. Tell your energy supplier what you can afford to pay - they have to take this into account in agreeing repayments of the money you owe.

3. Ask your energy company, your local Citizens Advice Bureau or call the Home Heat Helpline 0800 33 66 99 to find out about other free energy help available. Some people can qualify for a bill discount or free insulation to reduce energy consumption.

4. Consider switching to a cheaper deal with your current supplier, which can be done even if you are in debt. If you pay by cash, cheque or prepayment meter this can be done. If you pay by pre-payment meter and have less than £200 of debt you can also switch to a cheaper deal with another supplier.

5. Financial help is available so check you are receiving all of the benefits and tax credits you are entitled to by getting in touch with your local Citizens Advice Bureau.
 

Energy bills could become unaffordable.

Rising energy bills expected to out-price household budgets

Household energy bills could be unaffordable in less than three years time, according to new research. Price comparison website uSwitch has used current trends to forecast the cost of energy by 2015 and the outlook is bleak.

Energy debt is on the rise.

Energy debt sees 4 million in the red

Home energy debt is affecting almost four million households in the UK according to figures out today. Research from uSwitch.com shows that debt owed to energy supply companies has hit the £478 million mark.

Don't use a payday loan to pay your mortgage

Payday loans lead to debt spiral, warns Shelter

High-interest ‘payday’ loans are being taken out by desperate Brits to pay essential house bills. Almost one million people have taken out a payday loan to help pay their rent or mortgage in the last 12 months, according to a report from Shelter.

 Energy labels 'being overlooked'

Energy Performance Certificates 'fail to influence homebuyers'

Energy Performance Certificates aimed at helping people to cut down on their bills are having no influence on four out of five homebuyers who see them, according to research by watchdog Consumer Focus.
Energy bills could drop in price.

Crackdown on energy companies

The government is leading a crackdown on energy companies and the tariffs they offer customers. Changes will require energy companies to tell customers what the cheapest and best deal is for them and offer it on request.

Homeowners will be able to read their own meter when a smart meter is installed.

Has anyone heard of a smart meter?

As smart meters are rolled out across the country many people are scratching their heads wondering what exactly their money has been spent on. According to uSwitch.com, 55 per cent of consumers don’t know what a smart meter is.

Insulating lofts can help with energy costs

'Become energy efficient to help tackle fuel poverty'

Government figures showing 5.5 million homes were in fuel poverty in 2009 are out of date, uSwitch.com is claiming. The comparison site said today's level is 6.3 million - and urged families to take energy efficiency measures to beat rising costs.

 Bank of England's latest equity figures

Homeowners inject £5.8bn into their properties

Britain's homeowners paid £5.8 billion off their mortgages during the first quarter of 2011, according to Bank of England figures published today. The amount was lower than the previous quarter's record £7.1 billion.

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Two-tier housing market for Wales

Wales' house prices are held up by the high-end market.

The Welsh housing market has split into two groups creating a high-end market where prices are going well and a poor performing bottom end of the market. According to LSL/Acadametrics’ Wales house price index overall prices are up by 2.4 per cent on last year.

Interest Rates sit tight again

Interest rates remain 0.5 per cent.

The Bank of England has again given homeowners a reason to celebrate choosing to leave interest rates at 0.5 per cent. The respite for home owners was no surprise with the bank of England holding rates for the past three years.

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