NIE step in to resolve single mum's electric bill nightmare

A SINGLE mum who was being forced to decide between heating her home or feeding her family after a mix up left her with a bill of £50 to £60 a week for electricity has had the problem resolved and the overpayment returned to her.
By The Newsroom
Published 4th Mar 2010, 10:21 BST
Updated 4th Mar 2010, 10:22 BST

The plight of single mum Ruth McCutcheon was highlighted in last week's Star.

When she moved into hostel accommodation at Killaney Avenue six weeks ago she was paying 25 a week on electricity. But a new meter was installed and the cost soared after she was told arrears were owed by a previous tenant and for every 10 she put in the meter, 4 would go to clearing the debt.

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NIE Energy spotted the piece in the paper and have got in touch with Ruth to try and find out what happened.

Kerstie Forsyth from NIE Energy said: "The piece in last week's paper seemed to point the finger at NIE Energy but the fact is that the electricity account for the hostel accommodation that Ruth moved into was in the Housing Executive's name and had a debt of around 651 owing.

"This debt was transferred to the 'pay as you go' Keypad meter when it was installed in the hostel accommodation, again in the Housing Executive's name.

"As we were not contacted by either the Housing Executive or Ms McCutcheon to advise of a change of tenancy, the debt remained on the meter. As soon as Ruth contacted us on the 24th February to register for the Keypad, we removed the debt. We understand that the Housing Executive has paid Ruth back any money she was out of pocket."

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NIE Energy has explained that similar to buying a top-up for your mobile phone, a Keypad meter means you can 'pay as you go' for the electricity you use.

Ms Forsyth added: "The important thing here is that Ruth is sorted out and her electricity account is as it should be - in her name and with no debt.

"We've made sure this has happened and spoken with Ruth to make sure she is happy that things have now been sorted for her.

"As this is a Housing Executive property, we've also asked the Housing Executive to send one of their Heat Smart representatives out to advise Ruth on how to efficiently use the electric heating system and we've provided some free energy saving light bulbs."

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Ruth said she was "just glad" that the problem had been sorted out.

A Housing Executive spokesperson said: "We are sorry about any confusion that has arisen regarding the change in payment method for Ms McCutcheon's use of electricity, and we wish to thank NIE Energy for their effort in resolving this issue.

"The Housing Executive has repaid Ruth any money that is owed to her."