ANP
News from the NOS•
Starting tomorrow, energy companies will need to send a reminder more often before they can disconnect customers from gas and electricity. He states this in a provisional agreement presented by Minister Jetten (climate and energy). The government wants to avoid as much as possible the closure of people in the coming winter because they cannot foot the bill.
Now an energy supplier can cancel the contract and withdraw gas and electricity after a single ignored payment reminder. In the transitional regime, which will be in force until 1 April next year, at least three reminders must have been sent, with an interval of at least 14 days.
In addition, the energy company must try various ways to contact the non-paying customer. The supplier must also be able to prove this. And if it risks closing, the energy company must first contact the municipality. The latter also attempts to prevent disconnection by offering customer debt assistance.
Defaulting reconnection
The procedure for closing a family unit can only be initiated in the absence of a response also in this regard. The customer will receive a letter about it.
In response to parliamentary questions from the PS, the minister also writes that people who have recently been disconnected because they could not pay must be reconnected.
The House of Representatives had previously asked Jetten to make sure people aren’t cut off due to payment problems next winter. The temporary provision is its elaboration.
From 1 January, in addition to the regulation to prevent disconnections, a maximum ceiling will be applied for the energy bill. In November and December, all families also receive a 190 euro discount on their bill.
