Bad credit for late payment of utility bills.

[mattley]

Hedders said:

I have just been informed by British gas that they will now be 'sharing' even more information with the credit agencies.

People who have trouble paying utility bills on time, will now get the credit rating screwed!

Just what you need if you are already struggling.

If you can't even pay your utility bills how would you pay back the extra on a loan if you could get credit?

[Neil_H]

I always thought this was the case now?

[AndrewW-G]

mattley said:

Hedders said:

I have just been informed by British gas that they will now be 'sharing' even more information with the credit agencies.

People who have trouble paying utility bills on time, will now get the credit rating screwed!

Just what you need if you are already struggling.

If you can't even pay your utility bills how would you pay back the extra on a loan if you could get credit?

Conversely, now when the utilities make a mistake and send you a bill for several thousand more than it should be, will your credit rating get shot to st whilst you argue over it?

[skip_1]

My old housemates would always wait until the final reminder before paying

They'll be screwed now though

[Hedders]

mattley said:

If you can't even pay your utility bills how would you pay back the extra on a loan if you could get credit?

Maybe you could have paid the loan off in a week or three when you got paid and everyone would have been happy!

TBH, i have no idea at what point your credit is affected yet, it might be after months of non payment, i doubt it though..

[Hedders]

Neil_H said:

I always thought this was the case now?

Only if they get a judgement against you for non payment i would have thought.

[kazste]

i never manage to pay mine on time not through lack of money just through a lack of will!!
if you do struggle though and its an estimate wait until the last day then speak to someone at the company in question and give them a correct reading instantly you get another fortnight to pay!!!!

also works if you want the 3% early payment discount but leave it too long!!

HTH

[ymwoods]

all of the below affect your credit rating in regards to paying Utility Bills:

Missing 3 payment dates in a row (even if paid off a few days after the payment date)

Missing a payment date, then the final warning. As soon as you get the pay or we go to court letters.

Making an arrangment to pay your debt! Such as paying a small amount off each month, seen as a bad thing but not as bad as just not paying.

Edited by ymwoods on Monday 31st August 03:39

[Hedders]

ymwoods said:

all of the below affect your credit rating in regards to paying Utility Bills:

Missing 3 payment dates in a row (even if paid off a few days after the payment date)

Does that mean if you get monthly bills, and you wait for the red letter for three consecutive months, you get a 'negative feedback' on your credit report?

Or do they only consider a late payment to be one that is made after the date on the final demand? I think i am safe, just curious

[ymwoods]

Hedders said:

ymwoods said:

all of the below affect your credit rating in regards to paying Utility Bills:

Missing 3 payment dates in a row (even if paid off a few days after the payment date)

Does that mean if you get monthly bills, and you wait for the red letter for three consecutive months, you get a 'negative feedback' on your credit report?

Or do they only consider a late payment to be one that is made after the date on the final demand? I think i am safe, just curious

After the date on the final demand, or some contracts will have a "bills must be paid within x days of recieving first notification" if this is the case then its that date.

[Hedders]

I had better take a look at my next bill then